Loper Men Win in Wichita, Move Closer to MIAA Tourney Berth

 Junior guard Ja'Bryant Hill scored a team-high 21 points to help Nebraska Kearney beat Newman, 79-66, Thursday night in Wichita.

The Lopers move to 9-12 (7-6) while the Jets fall to 13-11 (6-9). UNK stops a four-game losing streak to NU and now leads the all-time series by a 6-5 margin.

"Our energy from Northeastern State was good and we wanted to build on that," said UNK head coach Marty Levinson on the KRVN Radio post-game show. "We want our seniors to get to the conference tournament. We're fighting for our seniors, and we are fighting for our life."

UNK opened up a 17-point first-half lead and kept up that advantage despite giving up 19 offensive rebounds. The Lopers limited NU to 39% shooting and forced 18 turnovers. Hill (Duncanville, Texas) was always Johnny-on-the-spot by going 5 of 5 from deep while adding three dimes. 

"JB has shot the ball well entire his life. Him being new, we had to go through some things together, and he just had to settle in," said Levinson. "When he's making shots, he's almost ungradable."

The Blue & Gold also got double figure scoring efforts from Omaha senior Chase Thompson (11), Arkansas grad Allen Taylor (16) and Missouri junior Kendrick Gilbert  (13). Finally, Bellevue senior Trey Hepburn provided four points and three boards.

 UNK hosts Emporia State on Saturday.