Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Juniors Connor Beranek and Ethan Brozek combined for 39 points and 13 rebounds as the Nebraska Kearney men's basketball team used a big second half to beat South Dakota Mines, 78-63, Saturday night in Rapid City.
 
The Lopers are now 5-2 while the Hardrockers, a future RMAC member, drop to 2-8.
 
UNK had lost in its last two visits to Rapid City but led for the final 37 minutes tonight. Ahead 39-38 at halftime, the Lopers shot 52% (16 of 31) in the second half and ended on a 22-12 run.
 
Scoring 27 points off of 20 Mines turnovers, Kearney got four straight points from Beranek (Ravenna) to lead 58-51 with 7:58 to go. That was the start of the big closing run with Minnesota freshman Isaiah McKay hitting back-to-back threes to suddenly give UNK a 69-54 advantage by the 4:57 mark.
 
The Lopers ended at 50.9% (29 of 57) from the field, the fifth time this winter they've made half their shots. Outrebounded by one, UNK still managed seven more second chance points, 11-4.
 
"It was a very good second half for us. The first half, we kept Mines in it by having 10 turnovers. And most of them were unforced," said UNK co-head coach Tom Kropp. "We cleaned up our turnovers in the second half and also played some better defense."
 
Beranek had a game-high 20 on 8 of 12 (1 of 4 threes) shooting. He also had six rebounds (five defensive), two assists and a steal in 31 minutes.
 
Inside, Brozek (Norfolk Catholic H.S.) went 7 of 13 from the field and 5 of 5 at the line to tally 19. He also pulled down a team-high seven rebounds (three offensive), had three steals and two assists.
 
Thanks to a late flourish, McKay was the other Loper in double figures, finishing with 15 on three made threes. Off the bench, forward Trey Lansman (Harlan, Ia.) had nine seven points, two assists and two boards in 24 minutes.
 
Starter Konor Klaus had a double double (17 points & 10 rebounds) to pace the 'Rockers.
 
UNK hosts Hastings College Monday night.