Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Sophomore forward Jake Stoppel scored a season-high 18 points and sophomore guard Craig Nicholson converted a key three-point play to help Fort Hays State slip past Nebraska-Kearney, 78-72, Saturday afternoon in Kansas.
 
The Tigers, ranked sixth in the Central Region, improve to 21-5 (12-5) while UNK falls to 12-12 (9-9).
 
Hays roared out to a 30-12 lead as they made 12 of its first 20 shots and the Lopers committed seven turnovers. UNK slowly chipped away at the deficit, trailing 41-36 at the break.
 
A three-point play by Norfolk sophomore Ethan Brozek brought the Lopers all the way back, 48-47, five minutes into the second half.

However, the Tigers quickly regrouped, going on a 13-2 run to lead by double figures again. During this stretch, more than one of Kearney shots rolled off the rim; for the day, UNK shot a season-low 39.2% (20-51).
 
The Lopers didn't go way, rallying again to trail by only two, 70-68, after two free throws by Omaha freshman Kevin Dineen with 2:15 to play.  

A Brozek runner didn't go soon after and then an offensive rebound gave Hays another chance to score. Not only did Nicholson (5-8, 160 lbs.) score three the old fashioned way but he also gave Brozek his fifth foul.
 
The Tigers then salted things away at the line, ending 24 of 26 (92.3%). UNK was right behind, making 27 of 30 freebies (90.0%).
 
Averaging 5.8 points per game, Stoppel went 5 of 5 from the field in the first half and added two buckets after the half to reach his point total. He also grabbed eight rebounds, all defensive, before fouling out.
 
Nicholson reached his 17 points per game average by sinking 9 of 10 free throws. The MIAA assist leader, he had seven dimes and three steals as well. Finally for Hays, they got 25 bench points, 13 by junior guard James Franklin (7 of 8 free throws).
 
Hitting both three pointers he attempted, senior Mike Dentlinger (Omaha) led UNK with 22 points. He was 6 of 12 of the field and added a team-best eight rebounds (five defensive).
 
Brozek, playing 32 minutes, had 20 points, six boards, three assists, two blocks and two steals. He was 6 of 11 from the field and 8 of 9 at the line. Playing tough defensive on Nicholson, Las Vegas junior Davion Pearson had 11 points and three offensive boards as well.
 
Northeastern State visits Wednesday night.