VERMILLION, S.D. -- Numerous second half rallies by the University of Nebraska at Omaha men's basketball team fell short, as No. 6 South Dakota held off No. 16 UNO for an 81-70 North Central Conference win Thursday night at the DakotaDome.
The second-straight loss drops the Mavericks to 15-3 on the year, 1-2 in NCC play. The Coyotes won their third in a row to improve to 17-1 overall, including a 10-0 record at home, and 2-1 in the NCC.
The first 11-plus minutes of the game stayed tight with neither team holding more than a four-point lead. But after a basket by
Nate Owen with 8:45 left made the score 24-23 in favor of USD, the Mavs committed turnovers on three straight possessions, helping the Coyotes to an 8-0 run and a nine-point lead. The Coyotes would score 11 in the half off turnovers. After going nearly four minutes scoreless,
Andrew Bridger fed
Mitch Albers for a layup, then dropped a 3-pointer to cut the lead back to four points at 32-28 with 4:27 left. The Mavs went cold again, however, scoring only one more point the rest of the half, coming on a free throw by
Jerry Bennett, as the Coyotes took a 37-29 lead at the half.
USD started the second half with an 8-3 run to open up a 13-point lead at 45-32, but UNO came back to score six straight, highlighted by
Justin Petersen dunking over the Coyotes' 6-11 Steve Smith. The Mavs would suffer another three-minute scoring drought, allowing South Dakota to build up another 13-point lead, 59-46, with 9:11 left. But again, the Mavs would rally back. Two 3-pointers from Bridger and one from Petersen made for a 9-2 run, cutting the lead to five points at 64-59 with 5:09 to play. The lead stood at five again with 1:37 left after another triple from Petersen, but could get no closer as the Coyotes hit their foul shots in the final moments.
Michael Jenkins scored 25 to lead the Mavs, his fourth game scoring 25 or more.
Jerry Bennett had another strong game on the glass, pulling down 14 rebounds.
Andrew Bridger scored 13 with five assists, while
Denny Johnston dished out six assists to go with five points and seven rebounds.
Jesse Becker led the Coyotes with 19 points. Eric Hall recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 boards.
The Mavericks return to action Saturday night when they host North Dakota at Sapp Fieldhouse.
