Kearney, Neb. – The Adams State College men's basketball team used a 26-4 scoring run that spanned 10 minutes in the second half to beat Nebraska-Kearney, 63-56, Sunday afternoon at the Health & Sports Center.

UNK drops to 5-6 and 3-4 in the RMAC while Adams improves to 7-2 and 4-2 in the RMAC. The Lopers lead the all-time series, 21-2, with tonight's win the first-ever for the Grizzlies in Kearney.

The Lopers got two points a piece from juniors Max Froehlich (Pierce) and Michael Vandahl (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) to lead 4-0 early on. The Grizzles got within two points after a free throw by Shayar Lee with 16:32 left until halftime.

Ahead 8-6, UNK went on a 9-3 scoring run over the next four minutes top open up an eight point cushion. During this stretch, the Lopers got baskets by freshman post Mike Dentlinger (Millard North), Froehlich, senior forward Michael McLeod (Brownlee) and a three by junior reserve Chris Deans (Hemingford).

ASC would get no closer than three points in the first half with Loper freshman guard Tim Billingsley (Parker, Colo.) sinking three threes in the final two minutes to suddenly give UNK a 38-24 lead.

UNK started the second half on a 7-2 run to lead 45-27 with 15:25 left in the game. After a made buckey by Jason West Jr., the Grizzles threw on a full court press to start their 26-4 scoring run that lasted until about the five minute mark.

During this long run, the Grizzles forced seven Loper turnovers and saw UNK ten miss 10 field goals.  A three from Deray Wilson at the 7:18 mark gave ASC its first lead of the night, 49-47, and they maintained at least a four point advantage over the final three minutes.

ASC was led in scoring, in the decisive stretch, by Robby Hanzlik with nine points, followed by Jack Osborn and Wilson with five points apiece

For the night, Adams scored 28 points off 20 UNK turnovers, had a plus 32-12 edge in points in the paint and held an 11-2 advantage in fast break points.  

Kearney went 15 of 28 from the field in the first half but made just 6 of 28 shots, including a 1 of 14 effort from beyond the arc, in the second half.

Individually, the Lopers were led in by Billingsley with 16 points and Froehlich, going 5 of 5 at the line, with 15.

The Grizzles were led by Hanzlik, who went 5 of 9 from the three point line to finish with 17 points. Lee came off the bench to tally 15 points with the ultra quick Jamiko Verner having seven points, seven assists, six steals and three rebounds.

Nebraska Kearney is in action tomorrow afternoon against Fort Lewis.