UNK Men Defeat NW Missouri State 74-69

Kearney, Neb. – Three players scored in double figures and Nebraska Kearney took advantage of a rare five-point possession to get past Northwest Missouri State, 74-69, Thursday night at the Health & Sports Center.

UNK (6-8, 4-2) wins a fourth straight game for the first time since 2019-20 and takes the season series from the Bearcats (4-12, 2-5). Prior to this year, the Lopers had beaten ‘Cats just once since joining the conference.

The close game trend continues for the Blue & Gold as they are now 4-5 in games decided by eight points or less. They lost their first five such contests but have turned the tables in the New Year.

It seemed UNK might run away with things as they held a 14-point lead at the end of the first half and at the start of the second half, 38-24. However, the ‘Cats sunk six second half threes and were better on the glass after the break to not only trim that deficit but also move ahead. Senior Byron Alexander recorded a putback bucket with 2:38 left to make it 66-61.

On a night where UNK was just 10 of 18 at the line, senior Chase Thompson (Omaha Westside) sunk two freebies to make it a one possession game. After getting a stop, redshirt junior Kendrick Gilbert (St. Louis) saw his baseline shot blocked out of bounds. However, Northwest was called for a technical foul and that turned the tide.

“The kid just let his emotions get away and said something he probably shouldn’t have said. It did end up going our way,” said UNK head coach Marty Levinson. “Chase made both free throws and then the elevator play worked perfectly.”

Thompson hit the two technical shots and then sunk a triple with 1:30 remaining to put UNK ahead for good, 68-66. Northwest missed the second of two free throws 10 seconds later and then the Lopers made all three shots in took in the final 1:01. Northwest, meanwhile, made two freebies but missed their last two shots.

“We haven’t quit against anybody, so I didn’t expect us to lay down (after getting behind). Maybe it’s about the wins we have had recently. It’s given them a little bit more confidence that ‘hey, we’ve been in these moments, and we’ll make this thing go our way,” said Levinson.

Thompson went for a game-high 21 points by going 7 of 11 (3 of 4 threes) from the field with guards Ja’Bryant Hill (17) and Allen Taylor (16) combining for 33 points. Hill (Duncanville, Texas) also hit seven shots with Taylor (Rogers, Ark.) having 12 first half points. He also had six rebounds and three assists with Hill at four steals.

UNK shot 48% and was plus three on the glass with Northwest having 21 second chance points off 12 o-boards. The Lopers overcame that by having a 14-point advantage in the paint.

“Our whole plan was to stomp them when we came out of the locker room and put them away,” said Levinson. “But they came out and everything just went their way. That’s when your character has to matter, and you have to power through it.”

Also, post Taylor Harrell (Huntsville, Texas) had 11 rebounds, eight points and two blocks with wing DJ Jamerson (Cibolo, Texas) at four points and a block. UNK had a season-best seven swats.

Northwest got 16 points from both senior Luke Moustakas and Wahoo freshman Marcus Glock; the pair combined to go 7 of 14 from behind the arc. Alexander came on strong and tallied 11 boards, seven points and three assists.

UNK hosts Missouri Western State on Saturday afternoon. The Griffons (11-6, 3-4) fell tonight at Fort Hays State, 61-50.