Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Sophomore Ethan Brozek and freshman Kevin Dineen had a career-high point totals, and sophomore Connor Beranek hit some big late shots, to help Nebraska-Kearney upset 23rd ranked Fort Hays State, 90-83, Wednesday night at the Health & Sports Centers.
 
Winners of five straight for the first time in three years, UNK (10-10, 5-7) also stops a seven game losing streak to the rival Tigers (18-4, 9-4).
 
Leading nearly the entire way, the Lopers shot 60% from the field to open up a 33-19 lead 14 minutes into the game.  Both Beranek (Ravenna) and Dineen (Creighton Prep) hit two threes during this stretch. 
 
However, Hays cut the deficit to seven by the break and then neither team could hit the broad side of a barn. At the 9:47 mark of the second half, the clubs had combined for 21 points on 9 of 33 shooting.
 
Having its advantage whittled down to four, UNK saw Dineen shot fake a Tiger and hit a three from the left corner to make it 57-50 with 6:51 left.  

The two teams then literally didn't miss over the final 5:25, the Lopers going 7 of 7 from the field (1 of 1 threes) and Hays sinking 10 of 12 shots (5 of 6 threes). The teams also combined to go 19 of 19 at the line.
 
Beranek's buckets in this run included a deep three, a jump stop fade way late in the shot clock and a thunderous dunk 16 with seconds left to cap the scoring.
 
The athletic Brozek had the other four baskets, all on drives to the hoop. He finished with 24 points on 9 of 16 shooting and a 6 of 7 effort at the line. As a team, UNK sunk 23 of 25 freebies (92%), its best effort of the year.
 
Thanks to three big swats by Brozek, Kearney also tied a season-high in blocks with seven.
 
Dineen tallied 13 by going 3 of 7 from behind the arc with Beranek at a team-best 25 points on 9 of 12 (3 of 4 threes) shooting. This was his best offensive output since going for 40 on Dec. 20th vs. Lindenwood.
 
He also had a team-high seven boards with junior point Davion Pearson (Las Vegas, Nev.) supplying eight dimes, six points and two steals.
 
Thanks to its late surge, Hays had six in double figures, led by reserve guard James Fleming (16). Sophomore guard Craig Nicholson (18.1 avg.) was greatly limited by Pearson throughout the night as he had nine of his 14 in the last five minutes.
 
UNK is at Washburn Saturday night.