Kearney, Neb. - Sophomore reserve post Beau Baker had career-highs in points and rebounds, and sophomore forward Chris Deans added a double double, to lead the Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team to an 83-72 win over Western State Friday night at the Health & Sports Center.

UNK (8-5, 3-2 RMAC) wins a second straight game and improves to 14-8 all-time vs. the Mountaineers (3-9, 0-5 RMAC).

Moment of the Game
After a 1st half which neither team held more then a five point lead, UNK used a 12-2 run early in the 2nd half to take command. The key spurt featured seven points from Baker and a three from freshman guard Akeem Morissaint.

The run gave UNK a 12-point cushion, 58-46, and Western never got closer then five points the rest of the way. In the final four minutes, the Lopers held off the Mountaineers by making their free throws; the team went 23 of 29 at the line on the night.

Kearney made 54 percent (15 of 28) of its 2nd half shots while holding Western to a 33 percent (13 of 40) effort. UNK also had a season-low eight turnovers.

Lopers of the Game
Baker (So., Denver, Colo.) - 21 points on 8 of 13 FG shooting, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks (previous career high of 19 points came in Dec. 2008 at N.M. Highlands)
Deans (So., Hemingford) - 12 rebounds, 11 points on 4 of 9 FG shooting (2nd career double double)
Morissaint (Fr., G, Delray Beach, Fla.) - 11 points on 4 of 9 FG shooting, 6 rebounds, 3 assists
Max Froehlich (So., Pierce) - 14 points on 8 of 10 FT shooting, 7 assists

Opponent Notes
Reserve Martin Graham had 15 rebounds and 5 points
Reserve Dan Biber had a team-high 17 points on 6 of 15 FG shooting
Starting guard Weylan Towns had 15 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds