GOLDEN, Colo. - A big second-half run by Nebraska-Kearney helped them get past Colorado School of Mines in a 74-66 decision on Sunday.
The Lopers (2-3) hit a 16-0 run early in the second half to overcome a 31-26 halftime lead by the Orediggers (2-2), and Mines couldn't catch up despite cutting the deficit to a basket late.
Mason Baker scored a game-high 22 points to go with two steals and six assists, and
Kobi Betts had a career-high 10 off the bench. The duo of Austin Luger and Kyle Juhl had 21 and 20 points, respectively, with Juhl adding nine rebounds. UNK out-rebounded Mines 37-23, but 19 Loper turnovers helped keep the home team in it.
It was an entertaining first half as neither team led by more than five. UNK was on top most of the way until a Betts jumper sparked an 8-0 Mines run to end the half as they held the Lopers scoreless over the final 4:33. UNK came out of the locker room firing, however, immediately hitting a Luger three-pointer and later taking the lead on a Juhl three-pointer at the 15:06 mark. That would be the first of three straight threes by Juhl as Mines suffered a more than five-minute scoring drought; UNK's lead stretched to as much as 12 in that span.
Mines slowly began to dig out of the hole, and a
Michael Glen jumper plus two Baker free throws made it a 60-56 game with 4:50 to go. After two Morgan Soucie foul shots,
Brendan Sullivan drained a three to cut it to a three-point deficit at 4:05, but Mines wouldn't score again until a layup by
Mason Baker with 55 seconds to go after Luger hit a dagger three-pointer. UNK made their foul shots in the final minute to seal the win.
NOTABLES
- UNK shot a red-hot 56.5% overall including 60% in the second half. Mines was 41% for the game.
- The Orediggers got to the line just 10 times, making seven.
- Mines generated nine steals off 18 Loper turnovers led by Sullivan's three thefts. Baker and Glen had two each.
- Despite the 18 UNK turnovers, Mines scored just six points off of them.
- UNK improved to 34-16 all-time against Mines.
NEXT UP
The Orediggers have two weeks off before beginning RMAC play Nov. 30 at home against UCCS.
