UNK Men Snag Home Win Over Fort Hays State, 85-63

Kearney, Neb. – Seniors Allen Taylor and Chase Thompson combined for 51 points and Nebraska Kearney was unconscious from the field in the second half to roll past Fort Hays State, 85-63, Saturday evening at the Health & Sports Center.

On Senior Day, the Lopers (12-15, 10-9) secured the fifth-seed in the MIAA Tournament by scoring well in the "KPI" power rankings that determine the 10-team field. Central Oklahoma also had a 10-9 record but is the eighth seed; UNK will face Pittsburg State (17-11, 13-6) at noon Friday in K.C. This is the program's first time in the tourney since March 2020. ​

Just three days ago in Kansas the Tigers (19-9, 12-7) handed the Lopers a 79-57 setback. UNK avoided a ninth straight loss to its longtime rivals by shooting over 75% for much of the second half and making 24 of 30 free throws.

"I couldn't be prouder of them; just the passion and effort that they played with. They do that every day so I knew it would show up at some point. The way it shows up is because you bring it on a Monday. You're knocking on the door and at some point, it's going to open," said UNK head coach Marty Levinson.

The teams combined for 10 turnovers, 16 fouls and 25 free throw attempts in the first half with Hays leading 31-27. UNK was just 7 of 25 (1 of 7 threes) from the field over the first 20 minutes against one of D2's top defensive outfits. Taylor (Bradley, Ark.) kept the Lopers afloat with 12 points thanks to five free throws and three buckets.

Things changed drastically in the second half as UNK erupted for 58 points on 20 of 31 (65%) shooting as well as a 12 of 14 effort at the line. By way of comparison, Hays has held 16 teams under 60 points this season. An 18-0 run encompassing just four minutes turned the tides, and the Tigers didn't threaten after that. 

"We had to get our hips down, move them around a little bit better, got their hands off and get to that rim. Power through and we had to have the right spacing for that. We also played off some matchups pretty well tonight," said Levinson. "Your confidence comes from your work. All these guys work hard at it, and I see their daily habits and the extra time they put in. We watch a lot of film with them, they've been working hard in the weight room."

Taylor (29) and Thompson (21) caused the most damage as the pair combined to go 16 of 28 from the field (6 of 11 threes) and 13 of 13 at the line. Thompson played a team-best 39 minutes and records his sixth 20-point game of the year with Taylor having his fifth 25-point contest.

Next, redshirt juniors Kendrick Gilbert (St. Louis) and Ja'Bryant Hill (Duncanville, Texas) combined for 20 second half points with senior guard Trey Hepburn (Bellevue) providing four steals, four rebounds, three assists and two points. Finally, Mullen redshirt freshman Clayton Moore had a team-best six boards.

"With our big guy (Taylor Harrell) out with the flu, it made sense to start Trey on Senior Night. He set the tone by slowing down (Kaleb) Hammeke," said Levinson. "We had better player and ball movement and that's why you see 48% shooting instead of the 29% from the other night."

Three Tiger starters scored 11 apiece with forward Shaun Riley (16 points, 11 rebounds) posting a double double.

Pitt State beat UNK, 100-93, on Feb. 20 in the H&S Center. Guard Jordan Frison finished with 26 points and 18 assists in that shoot out.