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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

JB Hill
Erika Pritchard, UNK Communications
96
Winner Neb.-Kearney UNK 9-9,2-5 Mid-America Intercollegiate
89
Northwest Mo. St. NMSU 9-9,2-5 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Winner
Neb.-Kearney UNK
9-9,2-5 Mid-America Intercollegiate
96
Final
89
Northwest Mo. St. NMSU
9-9,2-5 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 OT 2 F
Neb.-Kearney UNK 42 35 8 11 96
Northwest Mo. St. NMSU 38 39 8 4 89

Next Game:

at Missouri Western

1/17/2026 | 3:30 p.m.

The River 93.1/106.9 KRVN FM

Next Game

Full Schedule
Jan. 17 (Sat) / 3:30 p.m.
at Missouri Western
History

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Party Like It's 2003; Lopers Win 2OT Thriller in Maryville

Keanrey, Neb. – Seniors Ja'Bryant Hill and Kendrick Gilbert combined for 48 points to help Nebraska Kearney out last Northwest Missouri State in double overtime, 96-89, Thursday night in Maryville.

The Lopers (9-9, 2-5) avenge an earlier season loss to the Bearcats (9-9, 2-5) and win their first double OT game in 23 years.

UNK seemingly was going to take things in regulation as it led throughout and by as many as nine points. However, the 'Cats hung around and closed on a 9-2 run over the last 2:41. Junior forward Jack Ratigan tallied a put back bucket with almost no time remaining to tie things at 77 and force extra time. The Lopers had gone one of two at the line with 16 seconds left and before a final flurry of shots.

"Shout out to DJ Jamerson and Phil March who haven't had a lot of minutes for us up to this point, but they went in and played great basketball. They did their job and everyone had to play to their strength," said UNK head coach Marty Levinson on the KRVN radio post-game show.

The Blue & Gold, like in regulation, controlled the extra period but Northwest wouldn't go away. UNK was up 83-77 after a Hill (Dallas) shot in the lane with 3:07 remaining. Once again, the 'Cats came back, tying things at 85 after two free throws from Papillion freshman forward Robby Garcia at the 53 second mark. After the Lopers missed a shot, Garcia was apparently fouled with 1.2 seconds left. He grabbed an air ball near the baseline and went up for a shot while defended by Wade Williams (Huntsville, Texas). The 60% free throw shooter missed both shots, however, so UNK appropriately lived on. The second rimmed out with the first being well short. 

In the second extra period, Gilbert (St. Louis) hit a jumper at 3:13 to break the ice. About two minutes later, redshirt senior Tom Connelly (Denver) sunk a triple to finally put things away.

"We out rebounded them by 10 which was huge and once again we were pretty good from the free throw line," said Levinson.

Gilbert finished with a career-best 23 on 6 of 9 (FG) and 10 of 10 (FT) shooting with Hill, playing 45 minutes, making 10 freebies and seven shots. Finally, Las Vegas junior forward Anthony Swift sunk 5 of 7 threes to tally 18 with Texas junior reserve post Taylor Harrell (10 points, nine rebounds) close to a double double. Both Swift and fellow starter Clayton Moore (Mullen) fouled out during regulation, leading to more minutes for the reserves. 

Northwest had three starters in double digits, led by guard Larenz Walters (24).

UNK heads to Missouri Western on Saturday afternoon. Fort Hays State beat the Griffons, 74-61, tonight. 
              
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Players Mentioned

Tom Connelly

#12 Tom Connelly

G/F
6' 5"
Redshirt Senior
Kendrick Gilbert

#0 Kendrick Gilbert

F
6' 5"
Redshirt Senior
Ja

#3 Ja'Bryant Hill

G
5' 10"
Redshirt Senior
DJ Jamerson

#5 DJ Jamerson

F
6' 7"
Redshirt Junior
Clayton Moore

#24 Clayton Moore

G/F
6' 4"
Redshirt Sophomore
Anthony Swift

#2 Anthony Swift

F
6' 7"
Redshirt Junior
Wade Williams

#23 Wade Williams

G
6' 5"
Senior
Phil March

#9 Phil March

G
5' 10"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Tom Connelly

#12 Tom Connelly

6' 5"
Redshirt Senior
G/F
Kendrick Gilbert

#0 Kendrick Gilbert

6' 5"
Redshirt Senior
F
Ja

#3 Ja'Bryant Hill

5' 10"
Redshirt Senior
G
DJ Jamerson

#5 DJ Jamerson

6' 7"
Redshirt Junior
F
Clayton Moore

#24 Clayton Moore

6' 4"
Redshirt Sophomore
G/F
Anthony Swift

#2 Anthony Swift

6' 7"
Redshirt Junior
F
Wade Williams

#23 Wade Williams

6' 5"
Senior
G
Phil March

#9 Phil March

5' 10"
Junior
G