CSU-Pueblo 82, Nebraska-Kearney 69

KEARNEY, Neb. - The ThunderWolves ran their win streak to three and claimed their third straight win over Nebraska-Kearney Saturday with an 82-69 victory over the Lopers at their home court at the UNK Health and Wellness Center.

Chris Busch (Sr., Oakland, Calif.) continued his hot start to the season, netting a game high 23 points and taking down nine boards as the ThunderWolves sailed to a relatively easy win against a Kearney team that had put up over 100 points in its RMAC opening win over conference favorite New Mexico Highlands Friday. 

CSU-Pueblo led for 38 of the game's 40 minutes, building upon a 39-35 halftime lead to tee off in the second half.  After seeing its lead disintegrate for a short time near the 13 minute mark of the second half, the ThunderWolves caught fire, going on a 19-7 run that put the Lopers away for good. 

CSU-Pueblo had five players score in double digits for the first time in nearly two full seasons, and continued an unlikely recent mastery over the Lopers.  The Pack's win, its third straight over UNK, marks the program's most consecutive wins over the Lopers since 1991.  Before CSU-Pueblo started the current streak and defeated the Lopers in 2007-08, the Pack had dropped nine straight and 17 of 18 to Nebraska-Kearney.

CSU-Pueblo, now 4-1 and off to the team's best start in coach Patrick Eberhart's five seasons as coach, will return home next Saturday for a conference bout with UC-Colorado Springs at Massari Arena.  Admission to the Dec. 12 game against the Mountain Lions is free.