Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Three players reached the 20 point mark as Nebraska-Kearney beat South Dakota Mines, 86-74, Sunday afternoon at the Health & Sports Center.
 
With the win, Lopers (3-7) stop a four-game losing streak and avenge a 79-71 opening-season loss to the Hardrockers (8-6).
 
Shooting a season-best 57.4 % (31 of 54) from the field, UNK led the entire second half and by as many as 18 points. The 'Rockers, a rare Division II independent, never really went away, however, as there were 11 ties and 10 lead changes in the contest.
 
Mines held its biggest lead at the 8:19 mark of the first half, 25-19, before the Lopers used a 9-3 run to tie things up at 28. This stretch included one of Sami Bzai's four three pointers.
 
Ahead 35-34 at the break, Kearney took control early in the second half with a 12-4 spurt that made the score 58-47. Junior reserve post Kendal Glidden (Benkelman) had four of his nine points in this run with sophomore wing Pierre Newton (Laveen, Ariz.) adding five.
 
The Hardrockers never got the deficit under eight the rest of the way as they were out rebounded by four, 38-34, and shot just 41.8% (28 of 67) from the field.
 
A transfer from Arizona State, Newton scored 18 of his season-high 24 points in the second half. He was 9 of 14 from the field, 5 of 7 at the line and also added a team-best eight rebounds, five assists and two steals.
 
Next, Bzai (Gilbert, Ariz.) went 4 of 9 from behind the arc to tally a season-best 21. Reaching double digits for a fourth straight game, he also had six rebounds and three assists in 37 minutes.  Not to be out done, senior wing Jon Henderson (Salt Lake City, Utah) made six field goals and six free throws to score 20. The southpaw also handed out five assists and sat out just three minutes.
 
Finally, Glidden, in 22 minutes, was 4 of 5 from the field with four of his seven rebounds coming on the offensive end.
 
Three 'Rockers were in double digits with starter Konor Klaus at 14 points, five rebounds and three assists.
 
UNK resumes MIAA play Thursday night at Pittsburg State. The Lopers then face Northeastern State in Oklahoma on Saturday afternoon.