Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Senior guard Cortez Calbert scored 23 points and the Missouri Western State Griffons used strong defense to rally past Nebraska Kearney in overtime, 81-77, Monday night at the Health & Sports Center.
 
The Griffons get back to the .500 mark (6-6, 2-3) while the Lopers fall to 8-4 (4-2).
 
In a game with nine ties and 10 lead changes, UNK was ahead for nearly 22 minutes, from the 11 minute mark of the first half to the same point in the second half. The Griffons briefly grabbed a one-point lead but the Lopers came back and led 60-54 with 4:55 to play.
 
The advantage was thanks to an 8-2 run that featured four free throws and two buckets from junior forward Connor Beranek (Ravenna).
 
However, MWSU closed on a 13-7 run to send the game into extra time. A three by York freshman Ty Danielson gave the Lopers a 67-65 lead with 1:19 to play but junior post Kevin Thomas sunk two free throws 34 seconds later to knot things up.
 
After UNK turned the ball over with 32 second s left, a floater by Calbert hit the back of the iron. A desperation heave of Danielson would've counted but was well off the mark.
 
In overtime, Western controlled things, hitting 4 of 8 shots and going 6 of 8 at the line. UNK was just 3 of 14 from the field in the extra session, missing six threes in the final 32 seconds.
 The Lopers did cut a six-point deficit to one, 73-72, by the 2:08 mark but the Griffons responded with a bucket and two free throws by Calbert.
 
"We did not have one player that played well. If that's the case, you're not going to win," said co-head coach Tom Kropp. "It was a very disappointing loss for us, especially coming off the big win Saturday night. But that is the MIAA; you don't have any weak sisters from top to bottom and they deserved to win."
 
UNK shot 52% (13 of 25) from the field in the first half, including a 5 of 11 effort from behind the arc. However, the Lopers ended at 38.1% (24 of 63), its second lowest output of the season. Kearney also committed a season-high 18 turnovers, leading to 16 Griffon points.
 
Calbert reached his point total by sinking half his 18 shots and by going 7 of 8 at the line. He also had five rebounds (three offensive), three assists and two steals. Western finished with 11 thefts as a team.
 
Inside, Thomas had 16 points, three blocks and three boards with wing Hans Thun supplying 12 points, five boards, three assists and two steals.
 
UNK got double doubles from Ethan Brozek (16 points & 18 rebounds) and Beranek (19 points & 11 rebounds) with Minnesota freshman guard Isaiah McKay at 12 points and two boards. Brozek's board total ties a career-high, first set last season vs. Pittsburg State. As a team, UNK had a plus 13 margin, 50-37.  
 
Off the bench, senior guard Davion Pearson (Las Vegas, Nev.) had seven points and three assists before fouling out late.
 
Kearney travels to NW Missouri State on Thursday. The Bearcats are now 11-2 (4-1) after an 83-59 road win at Northeastern State tonight