Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Sophomore forward Connor Beranek had 38 points and 17 rebounds to help Nebraska-Kearney dominate Lincoln, 84-58, Saturday night at the Health & Sports Center.
 
With the MIAA win, UNK (3-5, 1-2) stops a three-game skid while the Blue Tigers drop to 2-9 (0-3).
 
A 6-6, 190 lbs. wing from Ravenna, Beranek came in averaging 19.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, both team-highs.  Among the MIAA offensive leaders, he has now scored over 20 points six times this year.
 
To reach his point total tonight, he went 15 of 25 from the field (2 of 5 threes) and 6 of 10 at the line. On the glass, 11 of his caroms came on the defensive end.  

Also having two assists and block, Beranek had a double double (22 pts. & 11 rebs.) in the second half and did all this in 32 minutes of work.
 
The 38 points scored is the most by a Loper since Drake Beranek went for 40 at New Mexico Highlands in December of 2008. Earlier that calendar year, he had 41 points and 15 boards vs. Metro State.
 
Ahead 36-26 at the intermission, UNK shot 61% (19 of 31) in the second half to lead by as many as 26 points. Lincoln, who went 7 of 18 at the line, got the deficit down to 14 but their cold shooting never allowed them to make a serious run.
 
On the night, the Blue Tigers shot 37% (22 of 59) from the field and were also out rebounded by more than a wide margin, 53-31.
 
Besides Beranek, junior point guard Davion Pearson (Las Vegas, Nev.) had 10 assists and 10 rebounds, junior forward Tyler Shields (Kearney) had 15 points thanks to three made triples and senior post Mike Dentlinger (Omaha) had 12 points and six boards off the bench.
 
James Edmond paced Lincoln with 16 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks.
 
UNK hosts Lindenwood next Friday night.