MARYVILLE, Mo. --
Michael Jenkins scored 21 points and
Justin Petersen pulled down a career-high 15 rebounds to lead UNO to an 80-66 upset of No. 3 ranked Northwest Missouri State Saturday night.
The Mavericks held Northwest Missouri State (5-1) without a field goal for over nine minutes, going on a 20-5 run, to take charge of the game in the first half. UNO, 6-0 for the first time since 2003, went on to take a 40-28 lead into halftime.
Andrew Bridger, who finished with 18 points, connected on a key three-pointer two minutes into the second half and Jenkins added a layup seconds later for a 47-29 lead.
The Bearcats sliced into the margin, scoring five straight points on a three by Howard Mose and a layup by Henry Hunter, pulling within 50-38 with 15:48 to play, but the Mavericks wouldn't budge.
Jerry Bennett converted on two straight trips down the floor to launch a 14-5 run that provided the Mavs with their largest lead of the night, 64-43, with 9:45 to play.
Hunter scored six straight to try to extend the Bearcats' 19-game home-court winning streak, pulling Northwest Missouri State within 71-60 with 3:21 left, but the Mavericks responded, hitting five of six free shots to snuff the rally.
Tyler Albers added 12 points and
Mitch Albers 11 for UNO, which shot 50 percent from the field to Northwest's 37.3 percent. UNO outrebounded the Bearcats, 39-34.
Lance Sullivan led Northwest Missouri State with 16 points and Hunter chipped in with 14.
The teams, which had not met on the basketball floor since 1978, will play a rematch in Omaha on Dec. 14.
