UNK Men Fall Just Short At Wayne State

Senior guard Jay Saunders hit a free throw with eight seconds left to help Wayne State get past Nebraska Kearney, 65-64, Wednesday night in Wayne.

The Wildcats (5-0) are now 3-0 vs. the MIAA this season with the Lopers having suffered four losses by a combined nine points. UNK continues to lead the all-time series, 89-81.

In a game of runs, it came down to the final 8.3 seconds. With the shot clock winding down, a driving Saunders was fouled along the left wing. He went 1 of 2 at the line; WSC made 20 of 29 freebies overall with UNK going 13 of 20. UNK called a timeout after Saunders made the first free throw and then he missed the second, giving the Lopers a chance. However, a driving and contested layup by junior guard Ja'Bryant Hill (Duncanville, Texas) didn't draw iron as the buzzer sounded.

A veteran Wayne squad was up 18-12 early on before UNK closed the half on a 25-12 run to lead by seven at the break. The smaller Lopers out rebounded the 'Cats 20-14 over the first 20 minutes and scored 12 points off six turnovers. The mojo continued after the break as UNK began the second half on a 7-2 run to grab its biggest lead of the night at 44-32. The stretch included a three from senior Chase Thompson (Omaha Westisde) and layups by Hill and senior guard Trey Hepburn (Bellevue West).

However, it was the 'Cats turn to go on a big run as they erased a 49-38 hole with a 21-4 surge. During this six-minute stretch Wayne barely missed from the field while going 5 for 6 at the line. The buckets included a three-point play by freshman forward Matt Noll, a three by senior guard JJ Ferrin and freshman guard Nassir Binion sinking three free throws after being fouled behind the arc.

UNK got off the mat and tied things up at 59 and then 64. Senior forward Chereef Knox (Philadelphia, Pa.) knocked down a corner triple with 34 seconds left to set up the exciting ending. Just prior to that big shot, Noll went 1 of 2 at the line.

A balanced Wayne attack saw nine players score between three and 13 points. Noll (13) and Ferrin (11) were the leaders with senior reserve post Cody McCullough providing 10 rebounds and five blocks. Wayne won the rebounding battle in the second half by six and overcame 16 more shot attempts by UNK.

Eight Lopers scored between two and 13 points with Thompson and Hill tied for the lead. Thompson, Hepburn and Mullen redshirt freshman Clay Moore each grabbed six caroms with Arkansas graduate guard Allen Taylor at 10 points, three steals, three assists and three boards. Off the bench, Knox and Texas redshirt sophomore DJ Jamerson combined for 16 points and six rebounds.

The Lopers are now off until Tuesday (Nov. 26) against the NAIA York Panthers (2-4). YU visits Friends on Saturday night.