Neb.-Kearney UNK 13-16,6-12 Mid-America Intercollegiate

101

Mo. Southern St. MSSU 16-10,10-7 Mid-America Intercollegiate

Neb.-Kearney UNK

13-16,6-12 Mid-America Intercollegiate

Final

Feb. 21, 2026

101

Mo. Southern St. MSSU

16-10,10-7 Mid-America Intercollegiate

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
Neb.-Kearney UNK	37	55	92
Mo. Southern St. MSSU	52	49	101

Summary
Box Score

Erika Pritchard, UNK Communications

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 2/21/2026 8:32:00 PM

UNK Can't Catch High Scoring Lions

Kearney, Neb. – Senior Jaden Taylor and junior Collin Ruffin each scored 22 to help Missouri Southern hold off Nebraska Kearney, 101-92, Saturday evening in Joplin.

This was the only meeting between the Lions (16-10, 10-7) and Lopers (13-16 6-212) with the games played at the intimate Robert Young Gymnasium due to construction.

In the series, MSSU has now won 10 of the last 11 thanks to 57 percent shooting and five scoring in double figures. The Lions, after leading by 17 late in the first half, were up 73-71 with nine minutes left and outscored UNK by 14-3 margin to pull way again. Ruffin finished 10 of 14 from the field with Taylor making 5 of 11 shots and 12 of 18 freebies.

UNK got career-highs from both Dallas senior point guard Ja'Bryant Hill (31) and St. Louis senior wing Kendrick Gilbert (26) to hang around. The pair combined to make 17 of 33 shots including 7 of 14 from deep. In playing all 40 minutes, Hill was 10 of 11 at the line and added five steals to reach 1,811 points (937 at UNK). Gilbert, now at 999 career points (572 at UNK), had his tally in 39 minutes with five others between 3-12 points.

The Blue & Gold made 23 of 29 free throws but MSSU was even busier (27 of 38) and also was plus nine on the glass. Finally, Southern led for the final 32 minutes with three Lopers fouling out.

The Lopers finish the regular season Thursday at Fort Hays State. The Tigers (18-9, 10-8) managed a 65-56 win at Pittsburg State today.

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