Lopers Fall to Mo West to Start 2026

Kearney, Neb. – Five scored in double figures and Missouri Western State made 29 free throws to down Nebraska Kearney, 104-80, Thursday night at the Health & Sports Center.

The Griffons (11-3, 3-0) and Lopers (7-7, 0-3) will meet again Jan. 17 in St. Joseph.

In a game where three technical fouls were called, UNK hung around early on thanks to five first half threes. However, a balanced attack helped Mo West lead for 35 minutes and by 13 at the break. UNK got the deficit to single digits twice in the second half, but the Griffs pulled away again with 11 different players getting into the scoring column.

That included Upper Iowa transfer Noah King who reached 2,000 career points tonight. He had 12 with fellow UIU transfer Gavin Harshberger (20) leading the way and post Marko Pavlovic (18 points, 13 rebounds) posting a double double. Mo West shot 49% overall, hit 11 threes, went 29 of 36 at the line and reached 90 points for the fifth time this winter.

Redshirt senior guard Ja'Bryant Hill (Dallas) paced the Lopers with 25 points, seven assists, three rebounds and two steals. Next, senior guard Wade Williams (Huntsville, Texas) had 15 points and 10 rebounds to record his first double double with St. Louis senior wing Kendrick Gilbert at 15 points and four boards.

UNK faces Northwest Missouri State on Saturday afternoon. The Bearcats (8-6, 1-2) fell tonight at Fort Hays State, 67-50.