Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Northeastern State shot 55 percent from the field and had all five starters score in double figures to defeat Nebraska-Kearney, 90-85, Thursday night in Tahlequah, Okla.
 
A 2013 NCAA Tournament team, the RiverHawks (11-4, 6-3) avenge a 60-57 home loss to the Lopers (5-9, 2-6) last winter.
 
Averaging 78.0 points per game, NSU led for most of the second half and by as many as 11 points. They held off a late Loper charge by making four free throws in the last 35 seconds.
 
UNK got 20 points from junior guard Davion Pearson (Las Vegas, Nev.) and shot an even 50% from the field to hang around.
 
The Lopers had a chance to make it two point game with around 15 seconds to go but a triple attempt by Pearson didn't fall. After a RiverHawk timeout, Norfolk sophomore Ethan Brozek stole the ball but another UNK three attempt misfired and NSU ran out the clock.
 
The top scorer in the MIAA at 23.5 per game, six-foot senior guard Bryton Hobbs went for 27 thanks to a 15 of 18 effort at the line. As a team, NSU made 26 of 34 free throws (76.5%) with three Loper starters having four or more fouls.
 
Hobbs made five shots from the field, including two threes, and handed out 10 assists. The 'Hawks sunk eight triples and scored 16 points off 12 Loper turnovers to overcome a minus eight rebounding margin.
 
Besides Hobbs, 6-1 junior guard Dalen Qualls had 18 points (4 of 6 threes), 6-1 junior guard Keon Littleton added 11 points, three steals and three boards with 6-7 junior post Curtis Evans having eight defensive boards, three blocks and 12 points.
 
Scoring 20 or more points for the third time this season, Pearson reached his total by going 8 of 16 (3 of 8 threes) from the floor. He also had four assists and two steals.
 
Brozek (18 points and eight boards) had another productive game with Ravenna sophomore Connor Beranek adding 13 points and seven rebounds (six defensive).
 
Finally, coming off the bench for the first time in 2013-14, junior wing Tyler Shields had 10 points and eight rebounds (five defensive).
 
On Saturday afternoon, UNK plays at Central Oklahoma. The Bronchos lost an OT shootout to Fort Hays State tonight, 101-97.