Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Sophomore Connor Beranek scored 17 of his 18 points in the second half as the Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team rallied once again to pick up a 90-84 win over Washburn Saturday night in Topeka, Kans.
 
UNK (11-10, 7-7) has won six in a row, its longest win streak in seven years. This was just the Ichabods (15-6, 8-6) second home loss in 13 games.
 
Kearney trailed the entire first half as Washburn shot 62.5% (15 of 13) from the field and also sunk 13 of 17 free throws. The Lopers, however, trimmed an 11-point deficit down to seven, 46-39, by the break as Kentucky junior Delquan Thomas sunk a three at the buzzer.
 
During its winning streak, UNK been ahead only twice at the intermission. This time, a big second half charge was led by a switch to a zone defense, which limited Washburn to 31.6% (12 of 38) shooting.  
 
Making over half its shots in each half, the Lopers worked around foul trouble to overcome an early nine point hole in the second half. A bucket by Thomas at the 13:56 mark gave UNK its first lead, 55-54, of the night. Washburn quickly went ahead again and even built a six-point cushion with 7:21 to play.
 
However, the Lopers hung around and then grabbed the lead for good when sophomore post Ethan Brozek (Norfolk) made a layup with 4:35 to go to break a 73 all tie. Another Brozek shot in the lane put UNK ahead by six, 81-75, soon after and Washburn didn't get closer than three the rest of the night.
 
Having just 11 turnovers, UNK shot 52% (27 of 52) from the field and made 29 of 38 free throws. Washburn did go 24 of 30 at the line but was just 6 of 19 from the three point line.
 
Beranek went 4 of 5 from the field and 8 of 10 at the line in the second half to reach his team-high point total. He also had 10 rebounds (nine defensive), making this his third double double of the year.
 
A balanced attack included 16 points from junior point guard Davison Pearson (Las Vegas, Nev.), 14 from Shields, 12 from Brozek and 10 from senior posts Mike Dentlinger (Millard North) and Kendal Glidden (Benkelman).  

Finally, five Lopers handed out two or more assists, led by Beranek with five.
 
Junior Alex North, averaging a double double on the season, had 31 points for Washburn thanks to 9 of 12 shooting from both the line and field. Among other starters, guard Kyle Wiggins had 19 points and six assists.
 
Pitt State visits Thursday night.