KEARNEY, Neb. – A wild game that saw 14 lead changes didn't fall the Mules way as they lost a tight battle with Nebraska-Kearney, 57-55. UCM now stands at 13-9 this season and 7-9 in the MIAA.
 
The Lopers were 7-of-20 from three for the game, but hit two important ones in the final minute. UCM's last ditch effort fell short with Cunningham hitting the back of the rim with a chance to tie in the final seconds, and Lowrance missing the front end of a one-and-one with 0.8 seconds to play.
 
Lowrance led three Mules in double-figures with 15 points. He also grabbed seven points. Spencer Reaves scored 13 points and Marquiez Lawrence recorded a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.
 
The first half saw both teams go on runs as they traded the lead back-and-forth. The Lopers took an early 14-8 lead with both offense's struggling from the outset.
 
The Mules got hot midway through the half, going on a 15-2 run and taking their first lead of the game. Reaves, Cunningham and Lowrance all hit three's during the run. Lowrance's three capped the stretch, and gave the Mules their largest lead of the game, 23-16.
 
Nebraska-Kearney was able to withstand the Mules hot stretch, and went on an 8-0 spurt of their own over the final 3:21, to take a 24-23 lead at halftime.
 
The two teams played even during a wild, back-and-forth second half. Neither team held more than a four-point lead, and there were six ties and 12 lead changes in the second half alone.
 
Lowrance gave UCM their largest lead of the half, 51-47 with 3:09 to play, hitting his second three-pointer of the game.
 
With just over two minutes to play, it appeared that Brad Woodson hit a jumper to beat the shot clock, but the call was overturned after video replay, giving UNK the ball.
 
The Lopers tied the game at 51 following the reversed call, but, Reaves hit a jumper and Tereke Eckwood scored an uncontested layup off of a steal, putting UCM back up four, 55-51 with 1:04 left.
 
UNK came back on their next possession to hit a three, and after a Mule miss, the Lopers connected for another triple to take a two point lead, 57-55 with under 10 seconds remaining.
 
Cunningham was able to get into the lane and got off a shot with one second left, but hit iron. The Mules had one final chance when the Lopers fouled Lowrance going for a rebound with 0.8 seconds, sending the freshman to the free throw line for a one-and-one. Lowrance's first shot rimmed out and UNK came down with the rebound and held on for a 57-55 win.

The Mules shot 43.1% for the game and 51.9% in the second half. They were 4-of-9 from three and 7-for-9 from the free throw line.
 
Three Lopers scored in double-figures led by Trey Lansman's game-high 22 points. He was 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. Connor Beranek scored 12 and Ethan Brozek chipped in with 11.
 
The Mules are back in action next Wednesday, Feb. 10 when travel to Topeka, Kan. to take on Washburn. Game time is 7:30 p.m.