Ryan Devers scored a career-high 35 points and led Missouri Western to a 89-82 win against Nebraska-Kearney Monday night at MWSU Fieldhouse.

Devers’ career high went alongside six assists and six rebounds, while the Lopers were led by Mike Dentlinger, who had 25 points.

Nebraska-Kearney jumped out to an 9-2 lead in the first four minutes of the game.

The Griffons came back and tied it up at 15 minutes later. From there, neither team led by more than three unitl Missouri Western took control with a 3-pointer from Dareon Jones. The trey made it 28-23 with 7:25 remaining in the opening frame.

The Griffons built a 10-point lead on a layup by Kalvin Balque toward the end of the half. That was followed by Devers’ fast break to go up 42-30 with 1:30 left.
Dentlinger put in a jumper right before the buzzer to mark the score 44-34 at the half.

At halftime, the Griffons were led by Devers, who had 13 points and five assists, both were team highs. The Lopers were led by Dentlinger, who had 13 points and Davion Pearson, who had six assists.

Nebraska-Kearney chipped away at the lead and it eventually settled at 52-49 with 13:39 left in the game.

After the Griffons went up double digits, the Lopers again cut the lead back down. Highlighted by Dentlinger’s three-point play, the Lopers made the game 75-71 with less than three minutes to play. Charlie Marquardt’s nice cut to the basket put the Griffons back up six, and after a turnover, Cortrez Colbert knocked down one of his two free throws to go up 78-71 with 1:40 left.

Pearson nailed a 3 seconds later to go back to a four-point game. Less than a minute later, the Griffons found themselves ahead 82-74, but Pearson again knocked down a trey to cut the game to 82-77.

Devers clinched the victory with five free throws in the final minute as the Griffons won 89-82. The Griffons next play on Wednesday at Emporia, Kan. against Emporia State.

— MWSU Sports Information —