The UNO men’s basketball team’s shortfall at the conference tournament in Sioux Falls, SD.
The UNO men’s basketball team, ranked fifth in the conference, had a short trip to Sioux Falls, SD for the Summit League Tournament after a quarterfinal loss.
Just last season, the Maverick fans still remember the heartbreak of losing in the conference championship to North Dakota State. This year, the men’s team fell much earlier than anticipated with an opening round loss to Oral Roberts on March 8.
The fourth ranked Golden Eagles soundly defeated the Mavericks with a 79-52 final score from the Denny Sanford Premiere Center.
This was the final career game for seniors KJ Robinson and JT Gibson, as they put on their UNO jerseys for one last battle. Gibson and Robinson led the team in scoring with 15 and 14 points respectively. The seniors had a message for the team following the loss.
“We both just thanked the coaching staff and our teammates for everything they’ve done for us,” Gibson said. “We told them we love them, really, and to just keeping working to get back to this tournament next year and hopefully be the first [UNO] team to make it to the [NCAA] tournament.”
Senior JT Gibson awaits opening tip-off at the Denny Sanford Premiere Center for a quarterfinal showdown against Oral Roberts. Senior KJ Robinson warms up his dribbling mechanics prior to the opening round of the conference tournament on March 8. After his final career game, Robinson gave his remarks to the team going forward. “I just want to thank everybody and to tell them just to keep working to get back to this position,” Robinson said. Sophomore guard Zach Thornhill eyes down the hoop during warmups before facing Oral Roberts. UNO forward Wanjang Tut holds his follow-through during the shoot-around in Sioux Falls, SD.Marlon Ruffin, Summit League Sixth Man of the Year, awaits a pass during the team shoot-around prior to tip-off. Oral Roberts forward Emmanuel Nzekwesi practices block work before the game against the UNO Mavericks. Nzekwesi would go on to score 13 points during the game.The Oral Roberts Golden Eagles stretch at half court during pregame warmups before their quarterfinal matchup against UNO. Darrius Hughes sends a chest pass over to junior Matt Pile during warmups. Pile would go on to collect 21 rebounds during the game to tie the Summit League record for rebounds in a single game. Matt Kirkle and Ben Helwig give their pregame analysis and prediction before tip-off. Kirkle and Helwig broadcast for the student radio station MavRadio. The UNO Mavericks head off the court at the Denny Sanford Premiere Center after a loss to the Golden Eagles 79-52. Coach Derrin Hansen gave his respects to Oral Roberts after the defeat. “First off, hats off, I really thought Oral Roberts played well tonight,” Hansen said. “It was back and forth in the first half, and I thought it was going to be that way again in the second half to give us an opportunity, but it wasn’t to be.”
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