Kearney, Neb. - The Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team had four players score in double digits and was solid at the line in the closing minute to hold off Chadron State, 77-71, Saturday night in Chadron.

The Lopers (6-7, 4-5 RMAC) stop a three game losing streak and also break an eighth place tie in the RMAC standings with the Eagles (5-8, 3-6 RMAC).

UNK got out to a nine point lead, 33-24, late in the first half only to see Chadron come all the way back and grab a 50-47 lead with 13 minutes to play.

A 26-10 Loper run, covering nearly eight minutes, erased the deficit and gave UNK a double digit lead. Chadron did get within four points, 73-69, with just over a minute remaining but two free throws from junior guard Michael Vandahl (Steamboat Springs, Colo.), and a free throw from junior post Beau Baker (Denver), quickly got the lead back to seven.

Playing his best game of the year, Vandahl went 5 of 5 from the field and 3 of 4 at the line to score 14 points. Junior wing Max Froehlich (Pierce) had team-highs in points (20), assists (seven) and steals (four) as he made 7 of 16 shots and 6 of 7 free throws.

Also, junior Chris Deans (Hemingford) came off the bench to have 10 points and pull down a team-high eight rebounds with freshman post Mike Dentlinger (Omaha) scoring 10 points as well before fouling out late.

In a very even game statistically, UNK had 14 turnovers for a second straight game. The Lopers have had nine games this year with 15 or more turnovers.

Chadron also had four in double digits, led by a double double from post Moala Tautuaa (13 pts., & 10 rebs.).

Kearney hits the road early Thursday morning for games at Western New Mexico (Friday) and New Mexico Highlands (Saturday).