Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Senior forward Connor Beranek had 28 points and 12 rebounds as Nebraska-Kearney dominated Fort Hays State, 90-64, Saturday night on the Buckle Court at the Health & Sports Center.
 
This was the start of a three-game home stand for the Lopers (12-8, 8-6), who are now tied with Washburn for fourth place in the MIAA standings.
 
The Lopers shot 64% (16 of 25) from the field in the first half to lead 47-30 at the break. The sharpshooting included 5 of 8 three point shooting and a 10 for 11 effort from the line.
 
UNK closed the half on a 17-6 run that featured two threes and nine free throws. On the night, two Tigers (13-7, 7-7) fouled out and another ended with four.
 
"We know we have guys that can score and if you go out and watch them, their form is really good," said UNK head coach Kevin Lofton. "For some reason early in the year we just weren't making shots. But we stayed with it, the kids have come in on their own time and I think the hard work is paying off."
 
Kearney also won the rebounding battle, 36-25, and committed just nine turnovers. Hays, shooting 40% for the game, never got closer than 15 points in the second half and trailed by as many as 28.
 
This is UNK's largest margin of victory over FHSU since an 83-51 shellacking at the end of the 2004-05 season.
 
"We tell our guys we want to play inside out. So our bigs have to finish around the basket and make their free throws. As a team, we want to make 75 percent or better in each game," said Lofton.
 
The Lopers are now at 82.8% for the season, a mark that'll likely lead all of the NCAA (Division's I, II and III) when official stats are released next week.
 
Registering his second straight and sixth double double of the season, Beranek (Ravenna) had an efficient night as he was 8 of 13 from the floor (1 of 2 threes) and 11 of 11 at the line. Nine of his rebounds came at the defensive end and he blocked a shot. 
 
Next, Iowa sophomore forward Trey Lansman haunted Hays again, finishing with 15 points, six rebounds, five assists and a career-high five blocks.
 
Rounding out the starting lineup, senior forward Ethan Brozek (Norfolk Catholic H.S.) and sophomore guard Lane Rohrich (Pierce) scored 13 apiece with junior southpaw Josh Sweet (Topeka, Kan.) playing well off the bench for a third straight game. In 32 minutes, the guard had nine points on 2 of 4 three point shooting and a team-best seven assists.
 
Twelve different Tigers scored, led by starter Rob Davis (10).
 
Southwest Baptist (Thursday) and Central Missouri (Saturday) visit next weekend