UNK MBB: Streaking Lions Need Big 2nd Half to Post 75-65 Win

Cook & Nebeker Lead the Lopers

Listen to the game here.

Kearney, Neb. – Junior guard Vinson Sigmon Jr. had a game-high 23 points to help Missouri Southern State rally past Nebraska Kearney, 75-65, Saturday evening at the Health & Sports Center. The Lions (10-4, 6-2) push its win streak to six in a row and also has strung together six straight wins over the Lopers (3-12, 1-8) dating back to the 2017-18 season. UNK had one of its best halves of the year over the first 20 minutes as it knocked down 7 of 13 three-point shots, tallied 16 points off seven Lion turnovers and defended without fouling. All that led to a 39-34 lead the break. "We played better this afternoon against a tough opponent than we did Thursday night when we were able to get a win," said UNK head coach Kevin Lofton. "If we could bottle up everything we did in the first half, and do that for 40 minutes, we could have a good push down the stretch." However, MSSU started the second half on a 14-4 run and never trailed again. The spurt featured three buckets from Vinson Jr., a 5-10, 150-pound transfer from D2 Wisconsin-Parkside. Besides gong 10 of 15 from the field, he also had four dimes and four rebounds. "Defensively from the first half to the second half … night and day. You look what we did on the boards from the first half to the second half … night and day," said Lofton. "We've got to get that part of it fixed. We have to sustain and duplicate what we did in the first half today." The Lopers went 3 of 14 from behind the arc in the second half but hung around and had a chance with just over three minutes remaining. After Utah super senior Darrian Nebeker knocked down one of his two treys to make it 69-62, UNK got a stop. The Blue & Gold had back-to-back open threes from the left wing but both didn't fall. Another stop followed but the Lopers couldn't convert in the paint and the Lions closed the door with six straight points. "They are a really good team … lot of size, lot athleticism. Probably have a good chance of being a top four team in the league," said Lofton. "Their point guard (Sigmon Jr.) really came alive and is a good player. He hit some tough mid-range shots." The Lions ended plus 15 on the glass, had just three second half turnovers and made 53% of its shots. Three other starters besides Sigmon Jr. were in double figures including 6-5 guard Avery Taggart (10 points, nine rebounds, six assists).

Nebeker went for 15 points, six assists and five boards with Wahoo senior reserve forward Winston Cook providing 14 points and seven rebounds. Next, Iowa redshirt sophomore guard Jaleque Dunson hit three triples to score 11 with Colorado natives Sean Evans and Tom Connelly combining for 15 points and five boards. "In the first half, we executed well, didn't turn it over much, trusted our stuff, trusted each other, got high percentage shots," said Lofton. "We also finished at the rim, hit open jumpers. In the second half, we had good looks at times but couldn't get them to go down." The Lopers head to rival Fort Hays State next Saturday. The Tigers (11-4, 6-3) rolled past Pittsburg State today, 83-55.