Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Senior forward Connor Beranek scored 39 points and grabbed 15 points as Nebraska-Kearney raced past Southern Nazarene, 95-80, Friday afternoon in Weatherford, Okla.

The game, the season opener for both clubs, is part of the SWOSU Classic.

The Crimson Storm, from the Great American Conference and Oklahoma City, hit their first three triples to get out to an 11-2 lead. However, SNU made only six more three pointers the rest of the way.

With several starters battling foul trouble, Beranek (Ravenna) scored 24 first half points as UNK eventually grabbed the lead for good, 31-29, by the 7:01 mark.

After the break, starting forwards Trey Lansman (Harlan, Ia.) and Ethan Brozek (Norfolk Catholic H.S.) fouled out as did reserve guard Lane Rohrich (Pierce). SNU had two players whistled for five fouls; the teams combined for 70 free throw attempts and 59 fouls.

Last season, the Lopers had 14 player disqualifications all season.

Up 45-40 at the break, Kearney held at least a nine point cushion for most of the second half. SNU got within eight, 75-67, with 4:36 to play but Iowa freshman Carter Burns nailed a triple from the corner push the lead back into double figures.

Shooting 52% (34 of 65) from the field, UNK was out rebounded, 43-40, and missed 10 free throws (22 of 32). The Lopers limited the Crimson Storm to just 36% (23 of 64) shooting with both squads having 11 turnovers.

Beranek finished 14 of 23 (0 of 2 threes) from the field and 11 of 13 at the line. Playing 38 minutes, his total was one off his career high, set in a December 2013 win over Lindenwood.

The reigning MIAA Player of the Year also had five offensive and 10 defensive rebounds and blocked two shots.

Not to be out done, Minnesota sophomore guard Isiah McKay had a career-high 22 points on 7 of 14 (2 of 4 threes) shooting. Scoring 13 in the second half, he was 6 of 9 from the floor and also supplied three rebounds and two assists.

In nine minutes off the bench, Burns made 3 of 5 shots (2 of 4 threes) in his first collegiate game to score eight. He also had two assists, two blocks and two rebounds. The Lopers finished with nine swats, four by Lansman.

Finally, York sophomore Ty Danielson had 11 points, six boards and a team-high three assists.

Seven different SNU players took at least five shots with LB Willis and CJ Rodriguez each scoring 17 points.

UNK plays the Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs Saturday at 7:30 p.m. SWOSU hosts Lindenwood tonight.