Box Score Kearney, Neb. – All five starters scored in double figures and York freshman Ty Danielson came up big late to help Nebraska Kearney slip past Washburn in overtime, 87-86, Thursday night in Topeka.
 
UNK (13-5, 8-3) is now in a four-way tie for first place in the MIAA along with Lindenwood, Pittsburg State and Missouri Southern State. Meanwhile, the Ichabods fall to 10-12 (5-6).
 
In a game with a staggering 19 ties and 16 lead changes, Danielson broke a 78 all tie with 2:19 left in overtime when he nailed his fourth and final three of the night. The big shot came after a WU turnover and the Lopers wouldn't trail again.
 
Things weren't easy down the stretch, however, as UNK went 1 of 2 at the line with nine seconds left to make it 85-81. Washburn senior guard Kyle Wiggins (game-high 28 points) quickly made a layup, forcing UNK to inbound the ball and make some free throws.
 
Danielson promptly went 2 of 2 at the line with two seconds to go seal the deal; Wiggins provided some last second excitement with a half-court three to finish the scoring.
 
Wiggins wished he would've made that shot at the end of regulation. After junior forward Connor Beranek (Ravenna) tied the game at 76 with five seconds to go, Wiggins raced down the court and misfired on a jumper.
 
"We had some good things happen to us. To have a real good season, once in a while, you have to get a break here and there," said UNK co-head coach Tom Kropp. "If you had to pick one play, it was Ty's three. The ball was scrambling around on the floor; somehow it gets knocked out to him and he not only gets possession but hits a three."
 
The Lopers had to work around some serious foul trouble as Danielson, Beranek (Ravenna) and junior forward Ethan Brozek (Norfolk Catholic H.S.) all had four fouls by the end of the contest.
 
Brozek picked up his at the 8:45 mark of the second half but still managed to go for 23 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks. He was 8 of 12 from the field and 7 of 9 at the line.
 
"That's where we were fortunate," said Kropp. "Ethan played well on both ends of court despite being in foul trouble for a long time."
 
Like Brozek, Beranek had 12 points after intermission. He finished with 19 on 7 of 16 shooting (2 of 4 threes) while pulling down six defensive caroms and handing out a team-best six assists. 
 
Finally, Danielson (15) and fellow freshman Trey Lansman (12) combined for 27 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals.
 
Wiggins reached his point total by sinking 10 of 17 shots (3 of 6 threes). Playing 41 minutes, he also had five rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Also, senior wing Alex North (17 pts., 9 rebs.) had another big effort against UNK with the 'Bods bench tallying 24 points.
 
UNK is at Emporia State Sunday afternoon. The Hornets dropped to 9-11 (2-9) after a 66-44 home setback to Fort Hays State on Wednesday.