Kearney, Neb. – Freshman post Mike Dentlinger made his first three pointer of the season, as time expired, to help Nebraska-Kearney stun Colorado State-Pueblo, 72-71, Friday night in Pueblo.

With the win, the Lopers (11-13, 9-11 RMAC) have almost secured the eighth and final spot for this year's RMAC Tournament. Currently in eighth place all alone, UNK has a 2 ½ game lead over four teams, including the ThunderWolves (9-14, 6-13 RMAC).

Even if Kearney wins its final two contests, it cannot catch the seventh place team. The majority of the RMAC has three remaining games.

It appeared Pueblo, now on a five-game losing streak, might become the latest Loper opponent to rally from a double digit deficit and sneak out with a win. Trailing most of the night, and by many as 12 points in the second half, the T-Wolves were down 65-55 at the 5:35 mark.

They promptly went on a 12-0 run that included two dunks from junior guard Andre Martin and three steals. Grabbing the lead back with 2:05 to go, Pueblo saw junior Max Froehlich (Pierce) make two free throws to tie the game at 67 with just over a minute left.

After the two teams traded baskets, the T-Wolves Nathan Tinger was fouled by Dentlinger with four seconds left. Finishing with a game-high 23 points, Tinger made both shots.

Not calling a timeout, UNK got the ball to Froehlich, who found Dentlinger for the unlikely winning shot.

The Millard North grad is leading the team in scoring this year (14.8 ppg) but the majority of his shots come in the paint and at the line. The winning shot was his first three point attempt in college.

For the game, Froehlich (16), junior reserve Chris Deans (14) and Dentlinger (10) reached double figures. This marks the fifth straight game Deans (Hemingford) has scored in double digits.

Also, sophomore post Drew Sankey (Lincoln) had nine points and a team-high eight rebounds with Planview senior Ben Klein coming off the pine to have eight points and five rebounds in 16 minutes.

Leading nearly the entire 40 minutes, UNK finished with a 35-28 advantage on the glass while also making 15 of 18 free throws.

Tinger, a 5-10 sophomore guard, also had seven assists, six rebounds and five steals to go along with his offensive production. Martin came off the bench to score 14 points, as did senior guard Kris Lawrie.

UNK is at UCCS Saturday night; a win over the Mountain Lions would secure a spot in the postseason.