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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Tom Connelly
Todd Gottula
89
Winner Neb.-Kearney UNK 11-14,4-10 Mid-America Intercollegiate
82
Northeastern St. NE 12-10,5-8 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Winner
Neb.-Kearney UNK
11-14,4-10 Mid-America Intercollegiate
89
Final
82
Northeastern St. NE
12-10,5-8 Mid-America Intercollegiate
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Neb.-Kearney UNK 36 53 89
Northeastern St. NE 45 37 82

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Big Second Half Yields Third Straight Win Over the 'Hawks

Keanrey, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney men's basketball team had a 53-point second half to rally past Northeastern State, 89-82, Saturday in Oklahoma.

This was the only game between the Lopers (11-14, 4-10) and RiverHawks (12-10, 5-8) this season. Since joining the MIAA in 2012-13, UNK is now 17-6 vs. NSU.

The Lopers were down nine at the break but used a balanced attack and a zone to come back against the 'Hawks. UNK started the second half on a 17-4 run that featured eight points from redshirt senior point guard Ja'Bryant Hill (Dallas). That put up the Lopers by four and they never trailed again.

"I'm just proud of these guys; it's been a rough couple of weeks for us. Our conference is a gauntlet; Fort Hays State lost here the other night," said UNK head coach Marty Levinson on the KRVN Radio post-game radio show. "Anybody can win on any given night and I'm just proud of our guys, being down nine, and not throwing in the towel."

A top-of-the-key three from redshirt junior Anthony Swift (Las Vegas) with 2:13 left made it 83-77 and NSU didn't get closer than four the rest of the way. In the second half, UNK was even from the field (16 of 32) while the 'Hawks were 2 of 10 from downtown.

"It was the player and ball movement on offense. That's the best we moved without the ball all year," said Levinson. "We did a great job of executing in the zone. They were killing us in the paint; they were to strong down there. So, we had to pack it in a little bit."

Hill finished with 25 on 9 of 17 shooting with Swift and St. Louis senior wing Kendrick Gilbert both at 19 apiece. Next, Swift went 3 of 4 from deep while Gilbert was 6 of 9 at the line and grabbed seven defensive rebounds. Finally, Denver senior reserve wing Tom Connelly had 10 points off the bench thanks to four made buckets.

NSU also had a balanced attack with four starters in double figures led by senior wing Xavier Glenn (23) and junior guard AJ Reed Jr. (19). Glenn also had nine rebounds with Reed Jr. handing out seven assists.

UNK hosts Newman (5-18, 1-13) on Thursday night.

 
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