Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Junior forwards Connor Beranek and Ethan Brozek combined for 38 points and 21 rebounds to help Nebraska Kearney hold off Pittsburg State, 68-64, Thursday night at the Health & Sports Center.
 
The Lopers (11-5, 7-3) have won three in a row and five of seven to be just a half game out of first place in the MIAA standings. Meanwhile, the Gorillas fall to 10-7 (6-3).
 
UNK came in as the best free throw shooting team in the conference (75.9%) but shot a season-low 45.5% (10 of 22) tonight. The Lopers still managed to lead for the last 23 minutes and by as many as 12 points.
 
The Gorillas hung around thanks to 22 points from Oregon transfer Devon Branch and 10 second chance points after the break. Pitt shot just 37% (22 of 59) from the field but did go 16 of 19 at the line.
 
Kearney seemingly had a comfortable 67-57 lead with 2:46 remaining but the Gorillas scored five straight to make things interesting. Branch could've made it a one possession game after a Loper miss but his layup didn't go with 32 seconds left.
 
However, UNK couldn't make the front end of a one-and-one and a bucket by Omaha native Josiah Gustafson made the score 67-64 with 19 seconds left. Finally, the Lopers made a free throw to seal the deal.
 
"We didn't finish the game the way we would've liked to but I have to keep reminding myself we're playing four freshmen and two sophomores," Loper co-head coach Tom Kropp.
 
Beranek (Ravenna) had 16 points and five rebounds in the second half to finish with 25 and eight (all defensive). Making 9 of 13 shots, he scored eight of his points as part of a 10-1 second half run that featured a technical foul on Pitt's Conner Kjer and made the score 59-47 in favor of UNK.
 
"The game of basketball can be funny; sometimes it can go good, sometimes it can go bad," said Kropp. "We were going to need Connor to make some plays down the stretch and what better time to show confidence in him than the technical free throws."
 
In the lane, Brozek (Norfolk Catholic H.S.) was hot early and finished with 13 points and 13 rebounds (five offensive). His sixth double double of the season, Brozek also had three blocks and a season-high five assists. 
 
Finally for UNK, freshman guards Ty Danielson (York) and Isaiah McKay (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) had 10 points apiece.
 
Branch was 9 of 15 from the floor to reach his point total. He also had four rebounds and three steals in 27 minutes.
 
UNK steps out of conference tomorrow night to host South Dakota Mines.