University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

Lopers Edge UCO

2/28/2014 10:05:00 PM

Jarred Bairstow

Box Score

KEARNEY, Neb. (Feb. 28) – Nebraska-Kearney outscored Central Oklahoma 17-4 down the stretch to hand the Bronchos a stunning 82-79 setback here Friday night in the regular season finale.

UCO had a 10-point lead at 75-65 with 5:05 left to play, but the Bronchos turned the ball over three times in a three-minute span as the Lopers rallied for the win.

It was the second straight rough road loss for UCO, which lost an eight-point lead in the final three minutes of an 80-79 defeat at Fort Hays State Wednesday night.

The Bronchos fell to 17-9 on the season and ended up 11-8 in Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association play. UCO will host a first-round game in the MIAA Post-season Tournament Tuesday at 7 p.m. against an opponent to be determined.

All five starters scored in double figures for the Bronchos, led by Aaron Anderson's 19-point outing on 8-of-11 shooting from the field.

Jarred Bairstow (16 points, 10 rebounds and Josh Gibbs (14 points, 13 rebounds) both had double-doubles, while Seth Heckart added 14 points and Cal Andrews 12.

UCO trailed by as many as eight (24-16) in the first 20 minutes before coming back to a take a 46-42 halftime lead. The Bronchos pushed their advantage to 13 at 69-56 midway through the second half after back-to-back 3-pointers by Gibbs and Andrews.

It was still a 10-point cushion (75-65) at the 5:05 mark when Bairstow made one of two free throws, but UNK answered with eight unanswered points to get within two at 75-73 at 3:12.

The Lopers went in front 78-77 with 2:13 left and it was still a one-point UNK lead at 80-79 after Gibbs made two foul shots with 16 seconds left.

Kevin Dineen hit two free throws at 0:12 to give the Lopers an 82-79 lead and Heckart missed a tying 3-point try in the final seconds.

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