UNK MBB: Northwest Missouri Bounces Lopers 83-53

Kearney, Neb. – The 17th-ranked Northwest Missouri State Bearcats shot 60 percent from the field, had four starters score in double digits and tallied 19 points off turnovers to down Nebraska Kearney, 83-53, Saturday evening at the Health & Sports Center.

The four-time national champions bounced back from a loss Thursday at Fort Hays State to improve to 6-3 (3-1) while also pushing their win streak over UNK (4-4, 2-2) to nine in a row.

Against a veteran ‘Cats squad, UNK went on a 5-0 spurt with six minutes left in the first half to make it a 28-20 ballgame. However, Northwest quickly recovered and scored 40 of the next 55 points.

“I felt like we were a little flat and didn’t come out with a lot of energy,” said UNK interim head coach Antoine Young. “Facing an angry Northwest isn’t something you want on the agenda, and we can’t come out like that against a good team.”

Closing the first half on a 10-2 run and making 12 of its first 16 shots (75%) after the break, Northwest had nine players in the scoring column with six making at least one three. They sank 11 of 26 threes, including 7 of 16 in the second half, were plus 10 on the glass and tallied 19 points off 13 Loper turnovers. They also got UNK in foul trouble very quickly.

“We almost came out punch drunk from Thursday, “said Young. “We have a young group and there’s always going to be ups and downs until they figure out how to be consistent. That just comes with maturity and playing in this conference for a little bit.”

UNK was led by redshirt junior Damiri Lindo (Oakland) who had 16 points, seven rebounds and finished 6 of 10 from the field. Freshman guard D’Aundre Samuels (Denver) came off the bench to have 11 points, six dimes and three boards with sophomore post Donavan Short (Denmark, Wisc.) getting some extended time down the stretch and had eight points on four free throws and two field goals.

“We tried to get Donavan established a little bit. When he’s playing at a high-level, there’s not a lot of people that can deal with him,” said Young. “He hasn’t been the same guy since his injury (to start the year) and he’s still trying to get back into a rhythm.”

Lincoln native Wes Dreamer (20 points, five rebounds) paced Northwest with guard Mitch Mascari having 17 on 5 of 6 triple shooting and 2023 MIAA Freshman of the year Bennett Stirtz at 11 points, four assists and three rebounds. Finally, veteran guard Byron Alexander was at 11 points on 4 for 4 shooting.

UNK heads to Newman next Friday (Dec. 15) and then hosts NAIA Bethany (Dec. 19) before taking a Holiday break.