Missouri Westernends Loper win streak with wire-to-wire victory

KEARNEY University of Nebraska at Kearney mens basketball coach Mary Levinson felt Missouri Western had a burr under its saddle Saturday afternoon.

Leading from start to finish, the Griffons (12-6 overall, 4-4, MIAA) beat the Lopers 83-72, ending UNKs four-game win streak.

I think hey had a chip on their shoulder.

I think they were up 13 versus Fort Hays and they lost last night, and us beating them there; they were just a little bit more motivated than we were today, and it showed from really, from the tip, Levinson said.

The Griffons shooting percentage hovered near 50 percent (28 of 55) throughout the game.

They came close to making 90% from the free-throw line (21 of 24).

They outscored the Lopers by 10 in the paint and by 10 in fast-break points.

UNK (6-9, 4-3), shot 38 percent from the floor (23 of 61) and 70 percent from the free-throw line (19 of 27).

But Levinson said the result was more than one team hitting its shots while the other didnt.

At some point, we have to battle harder.

We have to wear their legs out.

We have to contest shots better.

We have to protect the rim, Levinson said.

Four Griffons scored in double figures, led by Zane Nelson with 20.

Julius Dixon and Justin Bubak followed with 18 each.

Dixon had 11 rebounds to complete a double-double.

All five UNK starters reached double figures with Allen Taylor setting the pace with 22 points.

Kendrick Gilbert followed with 13 while JaBryant Hill and Taylor Harreell scored 11 each.

Chase Thompson finished with 10.

However, UNKs bench contributed just five points.

Missouri Wilson had a 10-point lead by the 10-minute mark of the first half and still led by nine at halftime.

I just didnt like our energy, Levinson said.

Im a defensive-minded guy, so watching them score so very easy on us, and us defensively breaking down at times, then we werent great grinding on offense, either, ...

I was definitely pretty mad.

I was probably a little more stern or intense at halftime than I wusually am.

The lead was extended to 15 early in the second half before the Lopers went on a run to cut the lead to six.

A 3-pointer by Bubak and three straight baskets by Dixon silenced the Loper rally.

UNK's Bailee Sobczak (#44) gathers the ball between two MWSU defenders.

UNK's Alex Flattery (with ball) does a layup over MWSU's Matilda Soderlund.

UNK's Alex Flattery (#11) guards MWSU's Alyssa Bonilla.

UNK's Jillian Aschoff (#22) defends MWSU's Marie Sepp.

UNK's Kia Wilson (15) reaches for a rebound along with Missouri Western's Kassandra Caron during the Lopers win over the Griffons on Saturday.

UNK's Taylor Harrell (#6) grabs a rebound over MWSU's Kiani Saxon.

UNK's Clayton Moore (#24) does a layup over MWSU's Ethan Kilgore.

UNK's Kendrick Gilbert (#0) does a layup between two MWSU defenders.

UNK's Ja'Bryant Hill (left) takes a contested layup.

UNK's Chase Thompson (15) guards Missouri Westerns Zane Nelson (7) during Saturdays game at the UNK Health and Sports Center Get local news delivered to your inbox!.

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