Men's Basketball: Mavericks limit turnovers, top Eagles

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — When a team doesn’t turn the ball over much, it will likely find success.

The University of Nebraska at Omaha found itself in that position Friday.

The Mavericks had only 11 turnovers, including two in the first half, and produced 29 assists in a 92-70 win over Chadron State in the Sunheat Classic at the Heartland Events Center.

Maverick coach Derrin Hansen said the assists and turnovers were key, especially in the first half.

“Assists and turnovers are always key in basketball and everyone knows that,” Hansen said. “Chadron can really pressure you, and they did that for 94 feet in the entire game.

“We had 35 baskets, and 29 of those were assists, so I liked how the guys found each other tonight.”

UNO was in control during most of the first half. Andrew Bridger hit a 3-pointer to start a 17-5 run for a 26-13 Maverick lead, which ended on Jeff Martin’s 3-point shot.

Chadron State got to within 28-21, but it was all UNO after that.

After taking a 41-32 halftime lead, the Mavericks started the second half on a 19-7 run for a 60-39 lead. They had three steals for dunks in that span, capped by Torrian Harris.

The closest the Eagles would get was 67-52 with seven minutes to play.

“Our transition defense was not good at all (at the start of the second half),” Chadron State coach Brent Bargen said. “UNO is very athletic, and they did a great job of pushing the ball at us. They did a great job converting our turnovers into baskets. They are more physical than we are.”

Another reason for the Mavericks’ run in the second half was their rebounding, which improved from the first half. In all, Chadron State won the overall rebound battle with the Mavericks 34-31.

“They were going to the glass really strong, especially on their offensive end,” Hansen said. “We did a much better job of keeping them out of the paint in the second.”

Tyler Bullock led the Mavericks with 17 points, while Eugene Bain chipped in 16. Donte Archie led the Eagles with 15 points, while Shaw Buckner added 13 points.

John Ring came off the bench and provided some minutes for the Mavericks. The Grand Island Northwest graduate posted four points and four rebounds.

Ring said it was fun to compete in front of the hometown fans and in the Heartland Events Center. He thinks the Classic will help the Grand Island area.

“Obviously it was fun coming back here playing,” Ring said. “It’s been three years since I’ve been playing in Omaha.’’

“We came out and played well. We would love to play here again and hopefully have Nebraska-Kearney join this event as well.’’

UNO (4-0)....................41 45—92

Chadron State (2-2)....................32 38—70

Chadron State: McClelland 1-6 1-1 3, Mosby 0-6 7-10 7, Coffman 4-5 4-6 12, Butler 1-5 1-2 3, Buckner 5-8 0-0 13, McGhee 0-3 0-0 0, White 2-3 3-4 8, Wallesen 1-3 0-0 3, Archie 4-9 5-7 15, Martin IV 0-0 0-0 0, Tautuaa 3-3 0-0 6, Randel 0-3 0-0 0. 21-54 21-30 70.

UNO: Bridger 3-4 0-0 12, Martin 4-8 2-3 13, Bullock 7-14 3-4 17, Curry 5-6 1-1 11, Bain 5-8 6-11 16, Harris 4-4 1-1 9, Newman 4-6 0-0 8, LeBranch 0-1 0-0 0, Welhouse 0-1 1-2 1, Ring 2-2 0-0 4, Lynch 1-2 4-5 6. 35-56 18-27 92.

3-point goals: UNO 4-9 (Martin 3-5, Bridger 1-2, Newman 0-1, Welhouse 0-1), Chadron State 7-24 (Buckner 3-6, Archie 2-4, Wallesen 1-3, White 1-1, McClelland 0-5, Cosby 0-3, McGhee 0-2). Fouled out: Tautuaa, Randel. Rebounds: UNO 31 (Newman 6), Chadron State 34 (Coffman 8). Assists: UNO 29 (Bridger 12), Chadron State 13 (Mosby 3, McGhee 3). Turnovers: UNO 11, Chadron State 17. Total fouls: UNO 20, Chadron State 25, Technicals: None. Attendance: NA.

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