UNK Men's Basketball // UNK Communications
KEARNEY – The Nebraska Kearney men’s basketball team begins its 2023-24 MIAA home slate with Missouri Western and Missouri Western this weekend.
The No. 22 Griffons (7-0, 2-0) visit Thursday at 7:30 p.m. with the No. 17 Bearcats (5-2, 2-0) stopping by Saturday at 4 p.m. The contests are available on The MIAA Network, and live stats.
A young UNK (3-3, 1-1) squad continues to twinkle the twine as they are shooting 50.5 percent from the field, second best in the MIAA and 20th in NCAA Division II. Six different Lopers are making at least half their shots including post Sean Murphy (67.5) and Ryder Kirsch (64.7) and guard Sean Evans (56.4). Murphy leads the league in shooting with Evans (14 of 27) and point guard Miguel Robles (12 of 24) both sinking half their threes.
The Lopers are up to 81.8 points per game and are pulling down about 32 rebounds a night, same as the opponent. Kearney would like to get to the line a bit more (11.3 attempts pg) as it’s making 75.0 of its freebies. Defensively, UNK aims to get its points allowed (85.8) and opponent three-point percentage (40.6) to drop throughout the conference slate.
MWSU hit a last second three-pointer last Saturday at home to get past Missouri Southern, 62-61. That already puts them at 4-0 in games decided by five points or less.
The veteran crew is led by 6-6 senior wing JaRon Thames (17.7 points, 6.0 rebounds), 6-7 redshirt junior wing Julius Dixon (12.7 points, 4.6 rebounds) and 6-4 junior guard Taye Fields (11.0 points, 9.7 rebounds). The Griffs are holding foes to 28% three-point shooting and are making 77% of its free throws. Finally, UNK and MWSU have split the last six games with each being decided by 10 points or less.
Northwest suffered rare non-con losses to Southwest Minnesota State, 63-56, and Emmanuel (Ga.), 75-72, but is off to a 2-0 start. They are allowing just 64.1 points per game and are plus seven on the glass. Redshirt sophomore Bennett Stirtz (18. 7 points, 4.0 assists, 2.9 rebounds) and super senior Wes Dreamer (17.7 points, 8.4 rebounds) lead a veteran roster. The ‘Cats have won 15 of the 16 all-time MIAA meetings between the two.
UNK heads to Newman next Friday before hosting NAIA Bethany (Kan.) College before winter break.
