UNK MBB: Lopers Drop MIAA Opener in Oklahoma, 79-68

Kearney, Neb. – Senior transfer guard Rodney Battle scored 21 points to help Rogers State down Nebraska Kearney, 79-68, Thursday night in Claremore, Okla.

This was the MIAA opener for both squads and the only meeting between the Hillcats (2-2) and Lopers (2-3) this year. Rogers has now won six of the eight all-time meetings between the two.

UNK rallied from two seven-point deficits, 14-7 and 46-39, but couldn't do it a third time. RSU went on a 7-0 run to lead 53-46 with 12:03 remaining and never trailed again. A three from junior lefty Damiri Lindo (Oakland) got the Lopers within six, 72-66, at the 1:19 mark but Rogers made its free throws down the stretch.

Battle was a first-team all-league selection last year for Division II Miles (Ala.) College. He made 7 of 12 shots (4 of 7 threes) as well as going 3 for 4 at the line and handing out three assists. Coming off a two-week break, RSU had three others in double figures including 5-11 junior guard Anthony Marshall Jr. (14) and veteran forward Kofi Hamilton (13). Marshall Jr. had six dimes, two steals and two rebounds as well with Hamilton (11 rebounds) recording a double double.

UNK came in ranked eighth nationally in field goal percentage (.531) but ended up at .391 (25 of 64). That included and 8 of 29 effort from behind the arc. The 'Cats also made seven more freebies, got 36 points off its bench and was plus four on the glass.

For the Lopers, Colorado junior guard Sean Evans went 6 of 13 from the floor to have a team-high 17 with Lindo making four shots to tally 11 points while also having a team-best seven rebounds and three assists. Next, Idaho junior lefty Taden King scored 10 thanks to two triples with New Zealand junior forward Sean Murphy at eight points and five rebounds. Finally, California junior point guard Miguel Robles provided six rebounds, five points and two steals.

UNK heads to Northeastern State on Saturday afternoon. The RiverHawks (4-2) fell tonight to Fort Hays State, 65-43.