This was the RMAC opener for both teams. UNK (3-2) has now won 11 of the last 12 meetings with the Mountaineers (1-4) to lead the series, 15-8.
Coming into the weekend, the Lopers were shooting 82.0 percent at the line. To overcome a sub par shooting effort from the field tonight (36.5 pct.), UNK made all eight free throws it took in the extra session to secure the win. For the game, the team sunk 20 of 24 free throws (83.3 pct).
Western's Martin Graham hit a three from the corner to start the extra session and break a 59 all tie. Two free throws from junior wing Max Froehlich (Pierce) soon followed and sparked a 7-0 run that put UNK ahead for good.
After a Froehlich steal, junior Chris Deans (Hemingford) hit his only bucket of the game, a three, to put UNK ahead 64-62 at the 3:20 mark. Froehlich went 4 for 4 at the line over the next 1:20 to put the Lopers ahead by four, 68-64.
Western quickly got a layup from Alex Hart and then slapped on the full court press. UNK broke it and Tim Billingsley (Parker, Colo.) found fellow freshman Mike Dentlinger (Millard North) for a dunk. Two more free throws from Dentlinger finished the game's scoring.
It didn't seem the game would go an extra five minutes as a Froehlich made one of two free throws with 1:59 left in regulation to tie the game at 59. After Western missed a three, the Lopers missed three shots in a seven second span with about a minute to go. Setting up for a fourth try, UNK saw Weylan Towns steal the ball and get fouled with 33 seconds to go.
A junior guard who was shooting nearly 80 percent at the line on the year, Towns missed both free throws. UNK rebounded the second miss and called a timeout. Froehlich would have his number called as he drove the lane with six ticks left.
His runner fell but he was called for an offensive foul and the bucket was waved off. However, he got a second chance as Western, after its own timeout, threw the ball out of bounds near halfcourt. Froehlich again got into the lane but his shot rimmed out and the teams had to play on.
A 40 percent shooting team on the young season, Western made 25 of 49 shots tonight (51.0 pct.) but were out rebounded 38-33, including a 15-5 mark on the offensive glass. That strong board work helped UNK score 17 second chance points.
At the line, Western made 11 of 17 shots (64.7 pct.) while also committing 21 turnvoers.
Dentlinger played a team-high 35 minutes and scored a game-high 21 points on 7 of 11 field goal shooting. He also went 7 of 7 at the line, pulled down five rebounds, had three assists and two blocks.
Coming off the bench, Froehlich had 19 points on 10 of 13 free throw shooting. He also had four assists, two steals and two rebounds in 33 minutes.
Also for the Lopers, Billingsley had nine points in 29 minutes and sophomore post Drew Sankey (Lincoln East) had six rebounds (three offensive) and four points in 13 minutes.
For Western, Towns made 8 of 12 shots to finish with a team-high 18 points. He also had six rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals in 37 minutes off the bench.
UNK hosts Mesa State tomorrow night.
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