Loper Men End 10-Game Skid to the Bronchos, 81-72

Kearney, Neb. – Junior forward Anthony Swift recorded his fourth double double and was one of four starters in double figures to help Nebraska Kearney beat Central Oklahoma, 81-72, Thursday night at Buckle court.
This was the only meeting between the two this year with the Lopers (9-10, 2-6) ending a six-year, 10-game losing streak to the Bronchos (12-8, 5-3).
UNK shot 55% from the field (32 of 58) and was plus 17 on the glass but saw a 17-point second half lead evaporate. The ‘Chos, behind MIAA leading scorer Matthew Willenborg (21.4), took advantage of 16 turnovers to mount a comeback from a 46-29 hole. They were down just six at the 7:22 mark, but the Lopers seemingly stemmed the tide after a Clayton Moore (Mullen) layup three minutes later made it 72-64.  
However, UNK’s next four possessions resulted in a turnover, a missed three and twice missing the front end of a one-and-one free throw. That all helped UCO climb the mount and tie things at 72 with 2:01 left. But Swift (Las Vegas) tallied a putback bucket with 1:39 left to give UNK the lead for good. After a Loper defensive stop, his 10th offensive rebound led to a free throw and three-point lead. Senior Wade Williams (Huntsville, Texas) then stole the ball from Willenborg and that lead to a fastbreak layup by senior Kendrick Gilbert (St. Louis).
Swift finished with 17 points on 6 of 12 shooting with his double double tally all coming over the last six games. Next, Gilbert had a team-high 19 points with Moore at 10 and senior point guard Ja’Bryant Hill (Dallas) at 16 as well as four assists and four boards. Finally, junior reserve forward DJ Jamerson (Cibolo, Texas) had four points and four rebounds in 13 minutes.
For UCO, Willenborg had a double double (17 points, 10 rebounds) with Central Missouri transfer and 6-6 forward Josh Nwankwo going 17 of 19 at the line to score 33. He also was 8 of 17 from the field and drew 10 fouls. The ‘Chos were 21 of 24 at the line but just 3 of 21 from deep.
The Lopers host Rogers State Saturday at 2 p.m. The Hillcats (11-7, 5-4) fell tonight at Fort Hays State, 80-75 in overtime.