UNK Men Fall To #5 Central Oklahoma

The fifth-ranked Central Oklahoma Bronchos hit a season-high 14 three pointers and had 13 different players score to down Nebraska Kearney, 99-61, Friday night in Edmond.

The Bronchos (12-1, 4-1) move to 21-5 all-time against the Lopers (5-6, 2-4) including a perfect 12-0 mark in Hamilton Fieldhouse. UNK was minus starting guard Sean Evans (Parker, Colo.) and reserve forward Ryder Kirsch (Rapid City, S.D.); both should return to the lineup soon.

UCO came in with a nearly 20-point scoring margin and lived up to that thanks to 14 of 30 triple shooting, a plus 11 rebounding margin and having just a single turnover in the first half. A very balanced attack saw four starters and one reserve reach double digits. That group included junior guards Jaden Wells (17 points, 5 of 12 threes) and Danquez Dawsen (14 points, eight assists, six rebounds & 3 of 4 threes).

UNK was just 3 of 18 from behind the arc and 13 turnovers led to 23 UCO points. The Lopers fell behind 11-2 and the 'Chos held a double-digit lead for the last 34 minutes.

Sophomore post Donavan Short (Demark, Wisc.) came off the bench to have his best effort of the year, tallying 20 points on 8 of 14 shooting. He also went 4 of 4 at the line and pulled down five rebounds in just 26 minutes of work. Next, California junior Damiri Lindo had 11 points on four buckets with New Zealand forward Sean Murphy supplying eight points and five caroms.

UNK returns home next weekend to face Lincoln (Thurs.) and Central Missouri (Sat.).