Box Score Kearney, Neb. - The Fort Hays State men's basketball team shot 52 percent in the second half and used a key run to pull away from Nebraska-Kearney, 65-51, Sunday afternoon at the Health & Sports Center.

This was the season-opener for both teams.

Both teams struggled to find their offensive rhythm as Hays trailed 6-0 nearly six minutes into the game. With 8:34 left in the first half, Hays managed to lead 14-10. They would go on to lead by two at the break, 28-26

Hays, which shot 41% in the first half, broke a 38 all tie 10:03 mark of the second half on a bucket by junior post Markus Yarbrough. The junior college transfer stands 6-8 and weighs 290 lbs. and gave the Lopers trouble in the post all afternoon.

That bucket started a 13-2 run that featured five points from Yarbrough and three pointer from Kendrick Morse. UNK, mean while, had three turnovers during the stretch and went 1 of 5 from the field.

Ahead 51-40 with 6:41 left, the Tigers kept its double digit advantage the rest of the way. In the second half, Hays went 12 of 23 from the field as Yarbrough tallied seven of his 11 points.

UNK never warmed up and ended the night 15 of 48 (31.3%) from the field. At the line, the Lopers weren't much better, connecting on 18 of 27 shots (66.7%).

A thicker Hays team had a plus 10 rebounding advantage, 39-29, with junior post Matt Simmons having 11 of his game-high 16 boards in the second half. In addition to his point total, Yarbrough pulled down seven boards and had one steal in 18 minutes.

The teams combined for 33 turnovers and Hays had a big advantage off the bench, out scoring Kearney 36-10. Besides Yarbrough, three others scored either eight or nine points.

Among Tiger starters, McKenzie finished with 10 points.

UNK was led by junior lefty Jon Henderson, who tallied 11 points in his first game as a Loper. He also had four rebounds and two steals over 29 minutes. Next, senior guard Quinston Reggins (Houston, Texas) had eight of his 10 points in the second half with sophomore post Mike Dentlinger (Omaha) at 10 points and five boards.

The Lopers host Doane College Tuesday night.