Box Score Kearney, Neb – Junior forwards Conner Beranek and
Ethan Brozek combined for 53 points, 13 rebounds and six blocks to help Nebraska Kearney slip past Emporia State, 69-63, Thursday night at the Health & Sports Center.
The Lopers (15-8, 10-6) avenge a loss to the Hornets (11-15, 4-13) earlier this year and remain in sole possession of fifth place in the league standings.
Behind the driving and slashing of Beranek (Ravenna) and Brozek (Norfolk Catholic H.S.), UNK had twice as many points in the paint, 36-18, as Emporia. The interior game also sent the Lopers to the line 30 times where the sunk 24.
However, the Hornets more than hung around as they were 9 of 18 from the three point line and put nine players into the scoring column.
UNK seemingly grabbed control late in the first half when a 9-2 run made it 34-25. A driving layup by freshman reserve
Lane Rohrich (Pierce) started the spurt with Brozek tallying seven straight.
But, Emporia countered with 11 consecutive points from reserve Jevon Taylor in the final 2:03 to trail 36-35 at the break. The Hornets then began the second half on an 11-5 run that featured two threes from starter Jay Temaat.
The Lopers not only erased the five-point deficit but opened up a seven-point cushion, 60-53, after two Beranek free throws with 4:48 to play. Sixteen of UNK's 19 points during the comeback were scored by either Beranek or Brozek.
Emporia still had some more life as threes from Temaat and Micah Swank made it a 60-59 with 3:10 to play. Down the stretch, the Lopers went 5 of 5 at the line and got two buckets from Brozek to seal the deal.
"We got behind by a few points in the second half and were kinda of stuck in the mud," said UNK co-head coach
Tom Kropp. "Davion (Pearson) came off the bench and made two key steals. That really helped give us the momentum back."
Before fouling out, Brozek had 26 points and eight rebounds (four offensive) on 9 of 16 field goal shooting. Making 8 of 11 free throws, he also had three blocks and two assists.
Next, Beranek went for a game-27 points thanks to an 11 of 12 effort at the line. Also swatting three shots, he was 8 of 12 from the floor and finishes the season with 60 points against E-State.
Finally for the Lopers, Omaha sophomore
Kevin Dineen had three assists, two steals, two points and helped limit ESU's Terrence Moore to a 4 of 14 shooting effort. Moore had twice scored 27 against UNK and averages 17 points per game on the season.
"Kevin accepted the challenge and did a great job on their star player. He held him to nine points and really played good defense," said Kropp.
A balance Hornet attack was led by Tematt (12 points; 4 of 6 threes) and fellow starter Josh Pedersen (11 points & four rebounds).
UNK hosts Fort Hays State Saturday night
