Box Score

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TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State men's basketball team lost 60-57 to Nebraska Kearney Saturday afternoon inside Jack Dobbins Field House.
 
The RiverHawks (10-2, 3-1 MIAA) saw their recent win streak halted at five games as they were handed their first loss in league play. The Lopers (4-8, 1-3 MIAA) collected their first conference win.
 
Senior forward Jermaine Bransford recorded his fifth double-double in the last six contests with a game-high 18 points and 11 rebounds. Junior guard Bryton Hobbs added 11 points, a career-high eight assists, and six rebounds.
 
UNK came out early and took an 8-3 advantage after four minutes of action, but the home team used a 10-0 run to lead 13-8 at the 13-minute mark.
 
The Lopers tied the game at 15-15, but the RiverHawks took another five-point lead at 21-16 with six minutes remaining in the opening half.
 
Nebraska Kearney closed the half on a 12-3 and led 28-24 at intermission.
 
NSU regained the lead five minutes into the second half at 34-33, and the green and white stayed on top for the next 11 minutes. UNK would not allow Northeastern State to get any farther away than five points, however, and the visitors were able to tie proceedings at 50-50 with 5:48 remaining on the clock.
 
With the score tied at 54-54 in the game's final minute, Tyler Shields and Thomas Cooper made four free throws to give the visitors a four-point edge. UNK kept the lead for the rest of the way as NSU could not make the crucial baskets late.
 
Mike Dentlinger led the Lopers with 17 points and nine rebounds. Jon Henderson added 11 and Pierre Newton contributed 10 points, eight boards and five assists.
 
Northeastern State failed to make a free throw in the contest for the first time since Feb. 25, 2009 at Southwestern Oklahoma State. The last time NSU did not make a free throw at home was Nov. 15, 2007 against St. Gregory's. The RiverHawks lost both games.
 
NSU will now head on the road for a three-game set, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 9 at Central Missouri.
 
NORTHEASTERN STATE COACH LARRY GIPSON
On the inability to generate consistent offense…
“Give credit to Nebraska Kearney. They defended us well. Nebraska Kearney came ready to play, and we just showed up because it was game time. We didn't come with the focus necessary to win the game. I think Kearney's game plan was very sound. They shortened the game by holding onto the basketball. They zoned us, and we missed a lot of easy shots, especially in close. We just didn't shoot the ball very well, and Kearney deserves credit for that. When you're not ready to start a game and you start missing shots early, the basket becomes a little smaller as the game goes along. It's a harsh lesson to learn, and I hope we learned a lesson from today.”
 
On the missed shots close…
“By our account, we missed seven or eight layups. You can look at every one of them as being critical. We just didn't finish at the rim and we didn't make shots.”
 
On the upcoming three-game road trip…
“What we need to do is come in Monday and just focus on ourselves. We can't worry about our three opponents at this point. We have to try to understand what it takes to win at this level.”
 
-GoRiverHawksGo.com-