The Mules rallied from eight points down with under two minutes to play to force the extra period, but were outscored 16-13 by the Lopers in the extra frame.

Nebraska-Kearney (5-5, 2-3 MIAA) led 73-65 with 1:56 to play in the game when the Mules (8-3, 2-3 MIAA) mounted their comeback. D’Marnier Cunningham scored three of his team-high 38 points on a three-point play to cut the lead to five. He scored 10 straight points for the Mules to pull within two at 77-75.

After two free throws by Connor Beranek gave the Lopers a four-point lead Spencer Reaves scored on a jumper with 12 seconds to pull UCM within two. Lane Rohrich made two foul shots for UNK to push the lead back to four, but Reaves drilled a three with 5 seconds left. Beranek then made one of two free throws to make it 82-80. Cunningham went coast to coast on the inbounds and his jumper fell as the buzzer sounded to force overtime.

The Lopers scored the first five points in the extra period to seize control, but a jumper from Reaves and a three-point play by Marquiez Lawrence tied the game with 3:01 to play. Josh Sweet hit an open three to push UNK in front 92-89, but Cunningham scored again to pull UCM within one. The Lopers then made six straight free throws as the Mules traded baskets for foul shots. Beranek made two with 3 seconds left to make it 98-95. Cunningham had another last second opportunity, but his three-pointer bounced off the rim and the Mules came up short.

The game was back-and-forth in the early going with the teams trading the lead on seemingly every possession. Trey Lansman made two foul shots to give UNK a 10-9 lead and spark a quick 6-0 run to push the Lopers in front 14-9. The Mules responded with a 7-2 spurt to tie the game at 16, but Sweet hit a three-pointer that quickly put the Lopers back in front.

The lead was six at 26-20, but the Mules battled back to within 30-29 with five points from Reaves and four from Cunningham. Lansman hit a jumper with :34 left in the first half to give UNK the 32-29 halftime advantage.

UCM shot 51 percent for the game, going 41-of-80 from the floor. The Mules were 7-of-19 from three-point range and made 6-of-11 free throws. The Lopers were 31-of-58 from the field for 53 percent, but 7-of-26 for 26 percent from beyond the arc. They made 29-of-32 free throws for 90 percent.

The Mules were led by Cunningham’s 38 points. He also had seven rebounds, five assists and a steal. Reaves finished with 21 points and Lawrence added 19 points and nine rebounds.

Beranek led UNK with a game-high 39 points to go along with nine rebounds and six assists. Lansman finished with 26 in the game and three players finished with eight points apiece.

The Mules out-rebounded UNK 37-34 and pulled down 12 offensive boards. They out-scored the Lopers 52-44 in the paint and 12-7 in second chance opportunities, but it wasn’t enough.

The Mules return to action on Monday, Jan. 4, hosting Southwest Baptist at 7:30 p.m. at the Multi.