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These 2 teams will be the ones to beat outside of the NCC as it seams to be every year. Kearney is one tough place to win. I garuntee 5,000 plus of the 5,239 fans were cheering for Kearney.
Metro Ends Men's Streak
'Runners Strong Down the Stretch
Kearney, NE – The 8th-ranked Metro State men's basketball team out scored 6th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney 17-6 over the last five minutes to secure an 88-73 win Wednesday night at the Health & Sports Center. A season-high crowed of 5,239 watched the Top 10 match-up.
The win snaps UNK's 28 game home court winning streak. The Lopers (14-2, 6-2 RMAC) last home loss prior to tonight was two years ago against these same Roadrunners (15-2, 8-0 RMAC). That loss also ended a 28 game home court win streak.
Since the beginning of the 1998-99 season, Metro is now 4-3 at the Health & Sports Center. The Lopers are 76-2 against all other opponents during that time.
The Lopers held a 39-37 half time lead but Metro went ahead for good three minutes into the second half The 'Runners built an 11 point lead, 60-49, with 11:10 to play after a three point play by Mark Worthington.
UNK made its move several minutes later on the strength of three point shooting. Utah junior Will Taukiuvea hit back-to-back triples and then sophomore reserve Matt Jenkins added a trey to make the score 71-67 Metro with 4:53 to play.
However, the Lopers wouldn't get any closer as Metro went 6 for 6 at the free throw line, sandwiched around a Worthington lay-up, to put the lead at 12, 79-67, with just over three minutes to go. The Lopers never threatened after that.
Metro dominated the glass, out rebounding UNK 48-29, including a 16-9 edge on the offensive end. That helped the 'Runners score 26 second chance points.
The 'Runners also forced 20 turnovers and their deeper bench out scored the UNK reserves, 29-7. The blue and gold, the best free throw shooting team in the RMAC (74.8), made only 16 of 30 free shots tonight.
Taukiuvea, one of four players in double digits, had a team-high 21 points thanks to 4 of 6 shooting from downtown. Columbus forward Dusty Jura had 11 points and seven boards in the second half to finish with a double double (16 points, 11 rebounds).
Senior Nick Branting also had 16 points while fellow senior Brian Dunagan had 11 points and six assists.
Worthington led Metro with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Four others were in double figures, including seniors CJ Massingale (16) and Lester Strong (11). Strong also had nine rebounds.
UNK hosts Chadron State tomorrow.
Metro Ends Men's Streak
'Runners Strong Down the Stretch
Kearney, NE – The 8th-ranked Metro State men's basketball team out scored 6th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney 17-6 over the last five minutes to secure an 88-73 win Wednesday night at the Health & Sports Center. A season-high crowed of 5,239 watched the Top 10 match-up.
The win snaps UNK's 28 game home court winning streak. The Lopers (14-2, 6-2 RMAC) last home loss prior to tonight was two years ago against these same Roadrunners (15-2, 8-0 RMAC). That loss also ended a 28 game home court win streak.
Since the beginning of the 1998-99 season, Metro is now 4-3 at the Health & Sports Center. The Lopers are 76-2 against all other opponents during that time.
The Lopers held a 39-37 half time lead but Metro went ahead for good three minutes into the second half The 'Runners built an 11 point lead, 60-49, with 11:10 to play after a three point play by Mark Worthington.
UNK made its move several minutes later on the strength of three point shooting. Utah junior Will Taukiuvea hit back-to-back triples and then sophomore reserve Matt Jenkins added a trey to make the score 71-67 Metro with 4:53 to play.
However, the Lopers wouldn't get any closer as Metro went 6 for 6 at the free throw line, sandwiched around a Worthington lay-up, to put the lead at 12, 79-67, with just over three minutes to go. The Lopers never threatened after that.
Metro dominated the glass, out rebounding UNK 48-29, including a 16-9 edge on the offensive end. That helped the 'Runners score 26 second chance points.
The 'Runners also forced 20 turnovers and their deeper bench out scored the UNK reserves, 29-7. The blue and gold, the best free throw shooting team in the RMAC (74.8), made only 16 of 30 free shots tonight.
Taukiuvea, one of four players in double digits, had a team-high 21 points thanks to 4 of 6 shooting from downtown. Columbus forward Dusty Jura had 11 points and seven boards in the second half to finish with a double double (16 points, 11 rebounds).
Senior Nick Branting also had 16 points while fellow senior Brian Dunagan had 11 points and six assists.
Worthington led Metro with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Four others were in double figures, including seniors CJ Massingale (16) and Lester Strong (11). Strong also had nine rebounds.
UNK hosts Chadron State tomorrow.