GRAND FORKS, N.D.--Nebraska-Omaha erased a nine-point deficit in the second half to secure its 20th win of the season with a 96-88 win over the Fighting Sioux tonight at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.
The loss drops UND's record to 12-14 overall and 1-10 in the North Central Conference heading into next Saturday's regular season finale against Minnesota Duluth. UNO improves to 20-5 and 6-4.
The Mavericks trailed 65-56 with just over 11 minutes remaining, but stormed back with an 11-0 run over the next three minutes that completely changed the complexion of the game.
UNO senior center Jerry Bennett took an inbounds pass and threw down a dunk to pull the Mavs within a point with 9:14 remaining, then Mitch Albers connected on a fast break jumper on UNO's ensuing possession to give the Mavs a one-point lead.
The two teams traded leads over the next several possessions, with a Travis Bledsoe (So., Minneapolis, Minn.) three-pointer putting UND on top 77-74 with six minutes remaining.
But the Mavericks slammed the door on UND's push by scoring 14 of the next 16 points in a four minute span.
Albers hit a layup and soon after followed with a pair of free throws to put UNO on top 84-79 with 3:30 left. Then the Mavs scored six straight on a Bennett baseline jumper and two free throws by Justin Peterson, giving UNO its largest lead at nine points with two minutes to play.
UND was able to muster just three points the rest of the way. The Sioux were plagued by 12 second-half turnovers, including four in a critical three-minute stretch late in the game.
The Mavericks were also able to get to the free throw line 34 times in the second half alone, making 31 of them.
UNO's Albers led all players with 25 points, including 19 in the second half. Bennett added 20 points and nine rebounds, while Peterson chipped in with 17 points and 11 boards.
UNO guard Denny Johnston had 15 points and seven assists.
Ervin Youmans (Sr., Hobbs, N.M.) led the Sioux with 22 points, making his first six three-pointers and finishing 6-for-7.
Bledsoe finished with 16 points, while Emmanuel Little (Sr., Chicago, Ill.) and Denny Dumas (Fr., Surrey, British Columbia) scored 12 and 11 points, respectively.
The Sioux will finish the regular season next Saturday at home against UMD. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.
###
