SILVER CITY, NM -- The University of Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team made the best of their long bus trip as they came out hot and controlled Western New Mexico 76-62 Thursday in the RMAC opener for both teams. The loss moves the Mustangs to 3-4, 0-1 on the season while the Lopers are 5-2, 1-0.

Kearney had the hot hand early as they worked the ball around the impatient Mustangs and shot 55 percent from the field in the first half to Western's 36 percent. Kearney took an 17-point lead into the locker room, 40-23.

The visitors came out to open their lead to 20 early in the second half, before cutting the lead to nine several times inside 10 minutes, but poor shooting continued to doom the Mustangs as they managed just 37 percent from the floor for the game. Kearney cooled off a bit in the second half, but still finished the game at 49 percent.

Sophomore Devin Stewart (Tucson, AZ/) led WNMU with 19 points after going 7-of-10 from the field and a perfect 5-for-5 from the free throw line. Western also got double figures from Justin Taylor (Mesa, AZ/) (13) and Casey Crevelone (Tucson, AZ/Canyon del Oro High School) (12). Surprisingly, point guard Trey Clarkson (Tucson, AZ/Sal Pointe High School) led the Stangs in rebounds with six.

The Lopers were led by Dusty Jura's 23-point, 13 rebound double-double.

Western will entertain Chadron State Saturday night