Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The Central Oklahoma Bronchos shot 60 percent in the second half to overcome a 13-point deficit to beat Nebraska Kearney, 74-69, Saturday afternoon in Edmond.
The win makes Terry Evans the winningest coach in UCO history (162 wins). With a victory, Kearney would've received a first round by in the MIAA Tournament.
The Bronchos (19-9) and Lopers (17-9) both finish with a 12-7 MIAA record, along with Lindenwood and Missouri Southern State. Pittsburg State could join that foursome if they lose Saturday night at Washburn. The MIAA Tournament pairings will be released after the PSU-WU game.
UNK led for 39 minutes but shot 34.5% (10 of 29) in the second half, including an 0 of 10 effort from behind the arc. Committing a season-low three turnovers, the Lopers also were 9 of 13 from the line after the break.
"I've been involved with UNK basketball for 42 years and this will go down as the second toughest loss that I've had. The reason is because so much was riding on this game," said Loper co-head coach
Tom Kropp. "With 14 minutes to go, we told our kids not to get tentative. We got really cautious down the stretch and basically gave the game away."
Juniors Conner Beranek (Ravenna) and
Ethan Brozek (Norfolk Catholic H.S.) both joined the 1,000 career point club, becoming the 40th and 41st Lopers to do so. Brozek is now at 1,006 points with Beranek at 1,001.
Both Brozek and freshman forward
Trey Lansman (Harlan, Ia.) fouled out late in the 2nd half.
Getting 35 bench points and outscoring the Lopers 46-28 in the paint, UCO was down 55-42 with 13:47 to go. They closed on a 32-14 run that featured two threes and 10 made free throws. That big spurt included a 13-2 stretch over the final 5:09.
The 'Chos first lead of the night came with 1:15 left when redshirt freshman Garen Wright hit his second three of the game, making the score 70-68.
UNK freshman
Isaiah McKay (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) made one of two free throws 11 seconds later but senior Mahlon Jones converted a layup with 34 seconds to go and then Wright finished the scoring with two made free throws.
"All we did over the last 14 minutes was shoot outside shots. We didn't attack the basket, we didn't make our free throws and we didn't score at the rim. We tried to hold on but the aggressor wins 95 percent of the time and they were at the end," said Kropp.
Beranek recorded his fifth double double of the year with 22 points and 13 rebounds (11 defensive). He was 9 of 14 from the field and 4 of 6 at the line while playing a team-high 37 minutes.
Next, Lansman ended with 15 points, four boards and two assists with Brozek and McKay scoring 10 apiece.
A balanced UCO attack had five reach double digits, led by starter Philip Brown and reserve Trai Jordan, each with 16. Brown also provided team-highs in blocks (four) and boards (eight).
