Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Sophomore Connor Beranek had a team-high 22 points, and junior Tyler Shields had a double double, as the Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team held off a rally by Wayne State, 75-69, Sunday afternoon at the Health & Sports Center.
 
This was the season-opener for both squads.
 
UNK was ahead nearly the entire way and held its biggest lead, 66-46, with 6:42 to play. However, Wayne warmed up while the Lopers went cold.
 
A 17-3 'Cats spurt made it just a 69-63 game with 1:51 to play. This run featured seven points from both Ty Bauschek (game-high 23 points) and Adol Aluong (10 ponts).
 
Going 18 of 26 at the line for the game, UNK sunk six of eight freebies in the final two minutes to keep Wayne at bay.
 
The 'Cats shot a solid 50.9% (29 of 57) from the floor but 16 turnovers led directly to 21 Kearney points. UNK also had eight more second chance points, 15-7, thanks to a plus 13 rebounding margin, 40-27.
 
Shields (Kearney H.S.) had 17 points and 13 rebounds (eight defensive) on 7 of 14 shooting.  Last season, he had three double doubles.
 
Next, Beranek (Ravenna), a transfer from Doane, was 7 of 15 from the field and 6 of 7 at the line to reach his point total. He also had seven boards (five defensive) and two steals.
 
Senior post Kendal Glidden (12) and junior point Davion Pearson (10) also reached double digits with sophomore Zach Clemens (Scottsbluff) having five of UNK's seven bench points.  Finally, true freshman guard Kevin Dineen (Creighton Prep) had seven points, five assists and just one turnover in playing a team-high 34 minutes.
 
A senior lefty from Wisconsin, Bauschek made 8 of 15 shots (2 of 7 threes) and went 5 of 5 at the line. He also had eight rebounds, three assists and two steals.
 
UNK is at Colorado Mines (Nov. 16) and South Dakota Mines (Nov. 22) before returning home to host Chadron State November 24th.