Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney men's basketball team heads West this Friday to take on longtime rival Chadron State.
The Lopers (0-1) and Eagles (1-) tip at 8:00 p.m. Central from the newly renovated Armstrong Gymnasium. Check the UNK
schedule page for media links.
This is the 175th all-time meeting between the two with UNK holding a sizeable 112-62 lead. Last year at the Health & Sports Center, Kearney won 88-60 behind 24 points and 11 boards from junior
Connor Beranek (Ravenna).
Chadron, led by veteran coach Brent Bargen, finished the 2013-14 season with an 11-15 mark. They were picked ninth in the 14-team RMAC preseason poll.
Coming off a 71-59 win over NAIA Presentation (Minn.) College, the Eagles will be much bigger than the Lopers. The roster features two 6-10 players in senior Michael Safer and junior Jay Feltson with junior Davante McCallam coming in at 6-8, 230 lbs.
The Eagles did lose its top three scorers off last year's squad with senior guards Evan Brooks (8.9) and Christopher Smith (8.3) the top returning players. Smith had a team-high 18 points in the win over Presentation with Brooks adding 11. Senior newcomer Kendrick Holliman was solid in his debut, having 17 points and nine boards (five offensive).
UNK fell 91-83 at home to Colorado School of Mines last Saturday. The Orediggers were tabbed third in the RMAC preseason poll.
Junior forward
Ethan Brozek (Norfolk Catholic) went for a career-high 30 points and had 11 rebounds as the Lopers briefly led in the second half, only to be unable to catch Mines down the stretch.
Dating back to last year, Brozek has posted five double doubles in the last eight games. That includes efforts of 23 & 18 and 24 & 10.
The Loper newcomers provided a lot of production in the setback to the 'Diggers. Off the bench, York sharpshooter
Ty Danielson sunk 5 of 6 shots (3 of 4 threes) to tally 15 with guard
Isaiah McKay (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) sinking two these to score eight. Up front, Iowa reserve post
Trey Lansman had nine points and two rebounds in 21 minutes.
After the 10-hour round trip to Eagle territory, the Lopers are off until a Decemver 1st home game with Doane College.
