For the second time in as many games, the University of Nebraska-Omaha men's basketball team upset a top-10 opponent, as the Mavericks beat No. 7 Emporia State, 105-91, Saturday night at Sapp Fieldhouse.
The No. 22-ranked Mavs, 7-0 for the first time in seven years, shot 57.9 percent from the floor on the night, including a blistering 61.5 percent in the second half. Six players scored in double figures, led by
Denny Johnston with a career-high 23 points, on 9-for-13 shooting, including 3-for-5 from 3-point range, with five rebounds and four assists.
The Hornets (4-2) started strong, holding a 37-28 lead with 6:15 remaining in the first half. But a three-point play by
Tyler Albers started a 16-0 run for UNO which included two 3-pointers from Johnston. The Mavericks took a 50-42 lead into the half.
UNO's hot shooting continued to begin the second half, as the Mavs resumed play with a 14-3 run, highlighted by a breakaway dunk by
Justin Petersen, followed by an
Andrew Bridger layup off another steal. The Mavs would lead by as many as 22 as shots continued to fall.
Emporia State's DeAndre Townsend rallied his team back, but the Hornets could get no closer than eight points with two minutes remaining. Townsend scored a game-high 39 points, with 21 coming in the second half.
Bridger matched his career-high with 18 points, and set a new personal best with eight assists. Petersen and
Mitch Albers scored 15 each, with
Tyler Albers scoring 11.
Jerry Bennett notched his third double-double of year with 11 points and team-high 12 rebounds.
The Mavericks return to action Friday for a rematch against No. 3 Northwest Missouri, who UNO upset 80-66 last week, starting at 8 p.m. back at Sapp Fieldhouse.
