Mesa State (4-2, 0-2) dropped its second consecutive league game falling to University Neb.-Kearney (4-2, 2-0) 73-65, Saturday night at the Health & Sports Center on the campus of UNK.

MSC held a 43-38 halftime lead and aside from the opening basket and a 2-0 lead for the Lopers, MSC led the entire first half. The Mavericks held their largest lead, 13 points (30-17), at the 6:30 mark of the first half.

Mesa State maintained the lead in the second half holding on to a single digit lead until the final six minutes of the game when the Lopers tied the game at 57-57 and took the lead (58-57) on two made free throws with 5:34 remaining in regulation. UNK never trailed again outscoring MSC 15-8 in the final minutes.

MSC shot 66.7 percent (16-24) in the first half and struggled in the second half hitting just 9-of-25 (36%) from the floor. The Mavericks were outscored 35-22 in the second half.

Colton Burgon led the Mavericks with 14 points off the bench. Colton was 6-for-10 from the field. Russell Gregory recorded 13 points and six rebounds. Kalonji Paschal finished with 12 points and four assists. Michael Bear tallied 10 points.

UNK had three players in double digits, led by Drew Sankey's game high 16 points.

MSC will return home to host Western New Mexico Friday night, 8 p.m. in Brownson Arena. Saturday MSC will play New Mexico Highlands at 7 p.m.

Box Score