UNK MBB: Lopers Drop Another Close One in Marshall, 77-73

The Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs used a late 11-0 run to get past Nebraska Kearney, 77-73, Saturday night in Marshall.

This is an annual MIAA/NSIC Crossover event with SMSU beating Fort Hays State, 68-62, on Friday. Both teams were picked high in their respective pre-season conference polls. Concordia-St. Paul was the other team in the field, and they defeated both Hays and UNK.

The Lopers led for 28 minutes overall and were up 65-58 after a rare four-point play from fifth-year senior Chase Thompson (Omaha Westside). That came with 5:18 remaining but the 'Stangs closed on a 19-8 run.

The comeback started with a putback bucket by junior guard Jakob Braten and ended with a three by Braten. In between, UNK committed two turnovers, went 0-3 from the field and missed the front end of two one and ones. Down the stretch, SMSU made six free throws to keep UNK at bay. The Blue & Gold finished 11 of 20 at the stripe.

The 'Stangs shot 50% from the field (25 of 50) and were a solid 21 of 26 at the line. They also were plus two on the glass and tallied 15 points off 11 UNK turnovers. Bratten (12) was one of four in double figures. That group included 6-7 sophomore forward Aeron Stevens (17), who went 13 of 14 at the line, grabbed seven rebounds and had two assists and two blocks. Finally, 6-7 junior guard Mason Lund went 4 of 4 from downtown to score 13.

The Lopers were also very balanced as Thompson and graduate guard Allen Taylor (Bradley, Ark.) had 15 apiece with guard Ja'Bryant Hill (Duncanville, Texas) at 14. Thompson worked around four fouls to hit three triples with Hill adding five assists and three steals. Before fouling out, forward Chereef Knox (Philadelphia) had 12 points on 4 of 7 shooting.

The home opener is set for Thursday against NAIA Dakota State (4-2).