Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney men's basketball team shot a season-high 61 percent from the field, and made a season-best 14 three pointers along the way, to rock South Dakota Mines, 99-62, Friday night at the Health & Sports Center.
 
This was UNK's (12-5) final non-MIAA game of the season. Currently a Division II independent but a future member of the RMAC, the Hardrockers fall to 7-15 and to 1-9 on the road.
 
Earlier this season in Rapid City, the Lopers managed a 78-63 win. Kearney came out red out, hitting three threes and getting a dunk from junior forward Connor Beranek (Ravenna) to lead 23-10 six minutes in.
 
However, Mines used some inside strength to keep things close and to trail by just a 42-34 score at the break. The 'Rockers then got an "old fashioned" three point play from post Andrew Rebol to start the second half.
 
That's when UNK exploded, going on a 26-8 run over a seven minute span to lead 68-45. A three from Iowa freshman Trey Lansman, and then two more by York freshman Ty Danielson, began the game changing run. Post Ethan Brozek (Norfolk Catholic H.S.) then got in the act, scoring 11 of his 17 points during this stretch.
 
UNK ended the night by making 38 of 62 shots, including 14 of 22 from downtown. This is the third time this winter the Lopers have had a double digit trey total with the 14 being just three off the school mark.
 
"We were just thrilled to death tonight with our performance," said UNK co-head coach Tom Kropp. "We played a team that hasn't been blown out of a lot of games and the goal was to be up by three at the half. The key in the second half was that early run."
 
Showing its depth and balance, Kearney had eight different players make at least one three and 11 players put their name into the scoring column. Beranek did that early and often, making his first seven field goals to end with a game-high 24 points. Handing out six assists, he finished 11 of 15 from the floor.
 
Next, Brozek recorded his seventh double double of the season (17 pts., 10 rebs.) and had five assists for a second straight night. Finally, Lansman (13) and Nevada senior Davion Pearson (10) were in double figures with Wisconsin sophomore post having five points in five minutes off the bench.
 
Rebol led the 'Rockers with 19 points and five rebounds (four offensive). He was 8 of 10 from the field as Mines shot a respectable 41%.
 
UNK hits the road next week to face Washburn and Emporia State.