Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball closed regulation on a 13-6 run and then was dominant in overtime to beat Chadron State, 75-65, Saturday afternoon in Chadron.
The Lopers (4-2) have now played four straight games that have gone down to the wire. Meanwhile, the Eagles (0-4) have yet to win in 2016-17.
Shooting a season-low 35% from the field, UNK trailed for much of the day but never by more than eight points. The Loper rally started after reserve post Austin Hall threw down a dunk with 4:42 left to give the Eagles a 54-47 lead.
Junior guard
Yashua Trent (Chicago) scored the game's next three points and then sophomore post
Carter Burns (Ankeny, Ia.) nailed a three with just over three minutes remaining to make it a one possession game, 56-53.
After Chadron's Michael Johnson made two free throws, sophomore guard
Isaiah McKay (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) converted a layup and then made a three about 30 seconds later to tie things at 58.
Senior guard Warren Gordon picked the pocket of Trent in the Loper back court to give Chadron its final lead of the game with 55 seconds left. Two free throws from junior post
Trey Lansman (Harlan, Ia.) quickly tied things up a few seconds later.
Chadron had a chance to win it but a layup from Johnson rolled around the rim and then Gordon was called for an offensive foul. Trent raced up the court but his last second three fell short.
In the extra session, UNK went 4 of 5 from the field, including 2 of 3 from behind the arc. McKay started things with a three and then Burns followed with one to make it 67-60 at the 2:28 mark. The Eagles weren't as fortunate, missing all four threes they attempted.
McKay scored seven of his game-high 21 points in overtime. Working around four fouls, he was 7 of 9 from the field (3 of 4 threes) and 4 of 4 at the line. McKay's career-high of 22 points came last November vs. Southern Nazarene.
Next, junior guard
Ty Danielson (16) and Lansman (13) both scored in double figures as did Trent (10) coming off the bench. Lansman also pulled down a game-high 12 boards (nine defensive), giving him his second straight double double.
Chadron had a balanced attack with Johnson, coming off the bench, having 14 points and six rebounds in 26 minutes.
UNK hosts Wayne State Monday night.
