Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The South Dakota Mines Hardrockers shot 59% from the field and 88% at the line to defeat Nebraska-Kearney, 84-76, Friday night in Rapid City, S.D.
 
This is the second straight year the 'Rockers (3-3) have beaten the Lopers (1-2) at home. Later this year, SDMT will visit the Health & Sports Center.
 
UNK led 23-17 at the halfway point of the first half. Mines went on a 6-0 run to tie things up and then the two teams went back and the rest of the half with the 'Rockers using a late spurt to grab a 42-38 lead.
 
That momentum carried over to the second half as the 'Rockers opened up a 53-40 advantage by the 15:44 mark. Senior guard Lucas Nolan had a couple of buckets during this stretch with senior guard Lance Killburn nailing a three.
 
Kearney did get the deficit down to four soon after. However, Mines just build it back up, leading 73-61 with four minutes left.
 
Six-eight senior post Caleb Schockman made all nine shots he attempted to finish with a team-best 19 points. Killburn (12) and Nolan (11) also scored in double figures with five 'Rockers grabbing three or more board.
 
Besides making 22 of 25 freebies and going 29 of 49 from the field, Mines out boarded UNK by a double digit margin, 28-18, and also were plus eight in points in the paint, 30-22.
 
Ravenna sophomore Connor Beranek paced the Lopers with 22 points on 10 of 16 shooting. Next, Kearney junior forward Tyler Shields had 17 (3 of 9 threes) with Omaha freshman Kevin Dineen tallying 10 (2 of 3 threes).
 
After missing some time due to injury, Kentucky junior Delquan Thomas had 13 points and two steals coming off the bench.
 
UNK hosts Chadron State Sunday at 2:00 p.m. The Eagles beat the 'Rockers, 79-68, at home earlier this week.