UNK MBB: Missouri Southern State Downs Lopers

Redshirt senior reserve guard Martin Macenis scored 21 points and Missouri Southern State went on a 9-0 second half run to get past Nebraska Kearney, 88-78, Saturday evening in Joplin.

The Lions (6-9, 4-5) beat the Lopers (5-10, 2-8) for an eighth straight time; UNK will try and end that streak Feb. 22 at the Health & Sports Center.

Getting a career-high 27 points from redshirt junior lefty Damiri Lindo (Oakland), the Lopers erased a 44-40 halftime deficit by scoring the first five points coming out of the locker room. About four minutes later, MSSU was up 56-53 after a bucket by junior forward Sean Murphy (New Zealand). That's when the game changed as the Lions scored the next nine points. Macenis converted a three-point play and sunk two other free throws during the spurt and UNK didn't get closer than eight the rest of the way.

"I thought we did some good things, but I keep telling the guys that 78 points is enough to win a game. We've got to find a way to stop giving up around that 90 area," said UNK interim head coach Antoine Young. "We're forcing ourselves to do what Golden State did in their prime … score 100, 120 points a night."

Macenis came in averaging 8.7 points per game in 19 minutes of work. Today, he made 7 of 10 shots, 6 of 7 freebies, grabbed six boards, handed out three assists and had two steals in 23 minutes. Three others reached double figures including veteran guard Vinson Sigman Jr. (18) and 6-6 junior newcomer Darius Dawson (14). In all, nine different MSSU players scored at least three points.

"Offensively, we're pretty good and have the firepower we need. Defensively, our biggest thing is keeping the ball in front of you. It's not the other team's offense or any X's and O's," said Young. "At some point, we've got to stand up to the dribble drive and hold our own."

UNK went 13 of 26 from behind the arc and shot 52% overall but the Lions made 60% of its shots and got 35 bench points. Finally, they were plus eight on the glass as Murphy battled foul trouble.

Lindo reached his tally by sinking 10 of 14 shots (6 of 8 threes) and going 1 of 2 at the line. He had 16 in the first half and was one of four Lopers to have four assists. Murphy was another and he also provided 14 points and a team-best six rebounds. Finally, freshman guard D'Aundre Samuels (Denver) had 14 points on six buckets.

"Damiri did exactly what we've asked of him all year; be efficient around the rim, take the threes that they dare you to shoot," said Young. "Murph does so much for us on the defensive end and rebounding the ball. It's hard to take him out right down, even with foul trouble."

UNK hosts nationally-ranked Fort Hays State next Saturday. The Tigers (12-4, 7-3) were upset by Pittsburg State today, 74-62.