Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Senior forwards Conner Beranek and Ethan Brozek combined for 51 points and 16 rebounds to help Nebraska-Kearney fly by Chadron State, 84-66, Wednesday night at the Health & Sports Center.
 
UNK improves to 2-1 while this was the Eagles season opener.
 
Almost leading the entire way, the Lopers shot 53% (29 of 55) from the field, including a solid 8 of 18 from behind the arc. UNK erased a 2-0 deficit with 16 straight points and eventually built a 20-point cushion.
 
However, Chadron went on a 15-5 run over the final 2:45 of the first half to trail 43-33 at the break. The Eagles, going 8 of 29 from downtown, hit two threes during this stretch as well as four free throws.
 
UNK quickly grabbed the momentum back, opening up a 66-41 lead with 12:21 to play. Chadron, facing a zone defense over the final 20 minutes, didn't get closer than 14 points the rest of the way.
 
"We got off to a good start which is kind of the reverse of what it was for us on the road last week," said UNK head coach Kevin Lofton. "We knew coming in it would be a fight. The South Dakota State coaches said they'll go hard and compete for 40 minutes. We got up big and then they dug in."
 
Not committing a single foul in 34 minutes, Brozek (Norfolk Catholic H.S.) tallied a game-high 29 points on 11 of 18 shooing. Making 7 of 8 free throws and pulling down eight rebounds, Brozek was just six points off his career high.
 
Next, Beranek (Ravenna) tallied 14 of his 22 points in the first half, finishing 9 of 16 from the floor. His eight caroms included six on the defensive end and he also blocked four shots and had three assists.
 
"We didn't finish the first half very well," said Lofton. "We reestablished ourselves to start the second half and were able to win the first five minutes and get our lead back up."
 
While losing the battle on the glass by four, 37-33, UNK committed six fewer turnovers and held the Eagles to 38% (23 of 61) shooting.
 
Also for the Lopers, York sophomore guard Ty Danielson was 5 of 5 from the three point line to tally 15 with Omaha junior guard Kevin Dineen having six points, five boards and four assists in 31 minutes off the bench.
 
Reserve guard Warren Gordon led the Eagles with 17 points and three rebounds.
 
UNK hosts Hastings College Sunday night at 7:00 p.m.