Box Score | Season Stats
KIRKSVILLE - - Guards Alex Henderson and Tom Norton both set new career-highs in points, and forward Ethan Freeman was two assists shy of a triple-double, but the Truman men's basketball team dropped an 89-79 home decision to a balanced Nebraska-Omaha squad on Saturday afternoon.
Henderson scored 26 points, while Norton came off the bench to drop 21 behind five three-pointers for Truman (6-15, 4-13 MIAA), who now hits the road for four straight games encompassing the next week and a half. The Bulldogs travel to Topeka, Kan., on Monday (Feb. 14) night for a makeup game with Washburn University at 7:30 pm.
After the Bulldogs carried a 43-35 lead into the intermission, fueled by a 55% shooting effort and seven three-pointers, UNO (15-7, 12-6 MIAA) went on a 17-9 run in the first five minutes of the second half to draw even at 52 apiece. The Bulldogs stayed within striking distance the rest of the way, as the game headed to the free throw line for an extended stretch of minutes midway through the half.
The Mavs shot 73% (22-for-30) from the charity stripe for the game, with Truman converting just 19-of-31 (61%) of its free throw chances.
A Brian Nwelue jumper with 5:10 to play pulled Truman to within seven, 75-68, but back-to-back baskets by UNO's Tyler Bullock extended the Mavs' lead back to double-digits, which it would remain the rest of the way.
Norton (5) and Henderson (3) combined for all eight of Truman's three-point baskets, as the 'Dogs shot 8-for-19 from long-range for the game. The duo each added a pair of assists and shot 56% from the floor.
Freeman, the MIAA's leading rebounder, continued his season-long tear on the glass by notching his 10th double-double of the year with 14 points and ten rebounds. The senior also added eight assists with just one turnover to maintain his team-high in assists (3.9 per game).
Junior Vesko Filchev added 12 points and five rebounds, while Newlue pulled down five boards and swatted three Maverick shots.
UNO put five players in double-figures, led by Mitch Albers' 25 and Bullock's 21. The Mavs shot 47% from the floor and out-rebounded Truman, 44-32.
Additional Notes:
- The Bulldogs close the season with four of their final five games on the road, ending with Central Missouri at home on Sat., Feb. 26.
- Ethan Freeman passed Erik Hansen (1983-1987) to move into eighth all-time on Truman's career rebounding chart. He now has 738 rebounds.
- Vesko Filchev tied Matt Beran (2000-2004) for sixth all-time on Truman's career blocks chart. He now has 70 blocks.
