Lopers Stun Griffons
Damiri Lindo (Courtesy UNK)
Kearney, Neb. – Redshirt junior lefty wing Damiri Lindo hit a halfcourt buzzer beater to help Nebraska Kearney stun No. 22 Missouri Western State, 93-90, Thursday night at the Health & Sports Center.
The Lopers (4-3, 2-1) and Griffons (7-1, 2-1) have now played 10 straight games decided by 10 points or less. Each team has won five with Mo West's luck in close games coming to an end. They have four wins by four points or less and another by 10.
"I was surprised because I thought they would give some more pressure and not just let the ball in," said UNK interim head coach Antoine Young. "When they did, we said forget what we drew up, just get it up the floor as close as you can and try and get a shot off. I'm glad it worked out."
Last Saturday at home, junior guard Zion Swader hit a buzzer beating three to help the Griffs knock off Missouri Southern, 62-61. He did again, knocking down a left wing three with 2.7 seconds remaining to knot things up at 90. UNK had the ball up 84-76 with 1:30 left but Swader's fourth triple of the night capped a furious 14-6 run.
Lindo (Oakland), who missed the start of the year due to injury, made his Buckle Court debut a memorable one as he hit a 45-footer to win it. Previously playing for Division II Holy Names (Calif.) University, Lindo received the inbound pass but allowed the ball to roll for a split second. Unguarded by the Griffs, his shot didn't hit glass but went straight through the hoop.
"We work on these types of plays in practice. They don't happen often, but we want to be prepared at high level when they do," said Lindo. "I wanted to get as close to halfcourt as possible and they give me a little too much space."
In a game with 10 ties and 10 lead changes, UNK had five players scored in double figures. Lindo had a team-high 21, junior lefty Taden King (Rexburg, Idaho) went for season-high 20 on 7 of 10 shooting, junior point guard Miguel Robles (East L.A.) had 17 in 26 minutes with guards Sean Evans (12) and D'Aundre Samuels (14) combing for 26. King fouled out with Lindo, Evans and Robles having four fouls apiece. However, MWSU didn't take full advantage as they went 15 of 22 at the line.
"We were moving the ball really well, playing together and for most part took good shots," said Young. "We also won the rebounding battle which we had to do if we wanted to have a chance."
Going 35 of 71 from the field including a 12 of 28 effort from the arc, the Lopers also were plus seven on the glass due in large part to New Zealand junior forward Sean Murphy. He had a career-high 18 rebounds (14 defensive), pushing his season total to 67 (9.6 avg). Trey Lansman (Nov. 2017) and Dusty Jura (March 2007) both had 20 rebounds in a game with "Tall" Paul Collison setting the Loper standard with 32 rebounds in a 1957 contest vs. Colorado Mines.
MWSU finished 13 of 32 from downtown with Swader (4 of 7) and junior guard Julius Dixon (6 of 10) doing the most damage. Dixon had a game-high 28 points with Swader at 27. Swader went for 23 in the second half with Dixon having 12 first half points and a team-best 11 rebounds. Finally, forward Taye Fields (13 points, nine rebounds) got close to a double double.
UNK hosts nationally-ranked Northwest Missouri on Saturday. The Bearcats (5-3, 2-1) lost at Fort Hays State tonight, 57-49.
