Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Four starters scored in double figures and Nebraska-Kearney sunk a season-high 32 free throws to beat South Dakota Mines, 81-69, Friday night at the Health & Sports Center.
 
With the non-conference win, UNK (7-10) avenges an 84-76 loss to the Hardrockers (6-14) earlier this year in Rapid City.
 
A hotly contested game featured 14 lead changes, five ties, 50 fouls, two technical fouls on the 'Rockers and 61 free throws. In the second half, the Lopers shot 61% (14 of 23) from the field and had a plus four rebounding margin to break a 36 all tie.
 
UNK came out strong after the break, using a 10-0 run to grab the lead for good. The spurt was started by a three from Ravenna sophomore Connor Beranek and included buckets by three other Lopers.
 
The lead grew to 16 points as the 'Rockers shot 39% after the intermission and committed 10 more fouls than the Lopers.
 
Beranek and senior post Mike Dentlinger (Omaha) each tallied 15 with sophomore post Ethan Brozek (Norfolk) having 14 points, four blocks and three boards. On the perimeter, junior point guard Davion Pearson (Las Vegas, Nev.) had 12 points, five assists and five rebounds.
 
UNK was 18 of 22 at the line in the first half and 14 of 23 in the second. Beranek had nine makes with Brozek and junior reserve Delquan Thomas (Louisville, Ky.) each sinking six freebies. 

The 32 makes and 45 attempts are both season-high efforts with the attempts total tied for the 10th most in school history.
 
A tall Mines team was paced by reserve Trevor Zacher (14 points and three rebounds) and starter Michael Dietz (13 points, five rebounds and two assists).
 
UNK hosts Washburn and Emporia State next weekend.