Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Five players scored in double figures, including a career-high 24 from sophomore guard Lane Rohrich, as Nebraska-Kearney held off Missouri Southern State, 113-100, in a wild game Saturday night at the Health & Sports Center.
 
The Lopers (6-5, 3-3) get a matter of revenge as the first place Lions (8-5, 5-2) knocked UNK out of the MIAA Tournament each of the last two seasons.
 
Kearney seemingly was getting the New Year off to a roaring start as they led 58-33 at the break. A first half offensive explosion featured four players in double digits, 62.5% (20 of 32) field goal shooting and eight made threes.
 
However, MSSU tallied 67 second half points to almost come back from a 74-44 deficit. Shooting well over 70% for most of the second half, the Lions were down 105-95 with just under two minutes remaining.
 
After a rare missed shot, MSSU had a chance to get it the score into single digits but senior wing Taevaunn Prince was called for travelling underneath the Lion basket. Battling Loper senior Connor Beranek for the MIAA scoring lead, he finished with game-highs in points (38) and rebounds (13).
 
UNK then sunk eight straight free throws to salt things away. Making 12 of 19 (63.2%) field goals in the second half, the Lopers ended 39 of 47 at the line. Overall, the teams combined for 76 free throws, 55 fouls and three technical fouls. In the second half, the Lopers and Lions combined to make 36 of 55 shots (65%).
 
"We didn't play the second half like we needed to. We weren't very sharp in a couple of areas and it almost cost us," said UNK head coach Kevin Lofton. "Five players did score in double figures and that's nice to see."
 
Rohrich (Pierce), who scored 12 last season in a loss at Bellevue, was 7 of 11 from the field (1 of 3 threes) and 9 of 13 at the line to reach his point total. Before fouling out late, Beranek also scored 24 thanks to 13 of 14 free throw shooting. He added seven defensive rebounds and five assists.
 
Next, working around some early foul trouble, Norfolk senior Ethan Brozek tallied 18 by making 10 of 11 freebies. This was his first game, due to injury, since December 5th.
 
Before fouling out early in the second half, freshman reserve Carter Burns (Ankeny, Ia.) hit 5 of 6 shots (3 of 4 threes) to score 13, just two off his season-best effort. Finally, Iowa sophomore post Trey Lansman went for 25 points by sinking 9 of 12 field goals (3 of 3 threes).
 
"Lane is doing a great job for us. He has been thrust into a bigger role due to Isiah's (McKay) injury," said Lofton. "When Ethan went out, we needed Trey to step up and be a difference maker. Now that Ethan's back, we still want him to be aggressive."
 
Prince reached his point total by going 12 of 17 from the field (1 of 2 threes) and 13 of 14 at the line. Playing all 40 minutes, he also had 11 defensive rebounds and a team-high four assists.
 
Three other Lions were in double figures, including starting guard Charlie Brown (11).
 
UNK hosts Pittsburg State Monday night.