Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Freshman guard Ty Danielson converted a four-point play with 28 seconds to go and Central Oklahoma missed two late threes as the Lopers slipped past the Bronchos, 83-80, Saturday night at the Health & Sports Center.
 
UNK (10-5, 6-3) is now ahead of UCO (12-6, 5-4) in the league standings.
 
Kearney led for most of the night but the 'Chos, running a platoon system like Kentucky, used its depth, athleticism and pressure defense to grab an 80-77 lead with 43 seconds to go. Senior guard Mahlon Jones raced down the court after a Loper missed three to give his team that lead.
 
Fifteen seconds later, Danielson (York) was in the far right corner and not only nailed a three but was fouled by UCO's Cal Andrews. That was the fifth foul on Andrews and sent Danielson to the line.
 
After a timeout, Danielson gave UNK the lead for good by swishing his freebie. UCO followed with a missed shot in the paint and Iowa freshman Trey Lansman grabbed the defensive rebounded and made the subsequent free throws.
 
Things were not settled, however, as UCO's Seth Heckart missed a three with 13 seconds left. While UNK grabbed the rebound, Jones tipped the inbounds pass and that led to Garen Wright getting a good look from the left wing. Luckily, it hit iron and UNK grabbed the rebound and, this time, inbounded the ball successfully.
 
"To have a really outstanding season, you need to win some close games. This is the second one we've won at home (Central Missouri) this year," said UNK co-head coach Tom Kropp. "We played just well enough to get the job done."
 
UNK shot 52% from the field in the first half to lead 45-38 at the break. That included a 6 of 14 effort from downtown. However, UCO held the Lopers to a 38% mark (11 of 29) in the second half while shooting 56% (18 of 32) themselves.
 
Kearney countered that by making 20 of 24 free throws, including 13 of 16 over the final 20 minutes.
 
All five UNK starters were in double digits with juniors Connor Beranek (Ravenna) and Ethan Brozek (Norfolk Catholic H.S.) each ending with 19. Brozek, who also had eight boards, four assists and two steals, fouled out with 4:50 to go.
 
Beranek had a team-high nine rebounds (seven defensive) with Danielson going 4 of 7 from the three point line to tally 15 with Lansman and Minnesota freshman guard Isaiah McKay each scoring 12.
 
Jones (23 points, four assists and three steals) led UCO.
 
Pittsburg State (Thursday) and South Dakota Mines (Friday) visit Kearney next week.