Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Senior
Connor Beranek scored 29 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as Nebraska-Kearney dominated Lindenwood, 77-61, Saturday afternoon on the Buckle Court at the Health & Sports Center.
This was the Lopers (17-9, 13-7) final home game of the season. In addition to Beranek (Ravenna), UNK honored senior post
Ethan Brozek (Norfolk Catholic H.S.). Both rank among the top 20 scorers in Loper lore.
In a game with conference and regional implications, the Lopers trailed for only 12 seconds. Dropping a fifth straight game, the Lions (15-11, 11-9), shot 29% in the first half and 34% for the game. And, despite a size advantage, they had just a plus one rebounding margin, 38-37.
An 11-4 run midway through the first half, capped by a Beranek jumper, made it 31-18. UNK led by at least 13 the rest of the way and by as many as 28 points. Shooting 53% (17 of 32) in the first half, the Lopers tallied 16 points off of 11 Lion turnovers and had an 11-0 advantage in fast break points.
"The last two times out we've played really well in the first half. The difference between Thursday and today is that we came out in the second half and played the same way," said UNK head coach
Kevin Lofton.
Having his eighth double double of the season, Beranek was 10 of 15 from the field (1 of 1 threes) and 8 of 8 at the line. He needs just eight more made free throws to break Nick Branting's school record of 205, set back in 2003-04.
Inside, nine of his rebounds came on the defensive end and he also had three assists and logged 36 minutes of playing time.
"They (Connor & Ethan) did what we needed them to do tonight," said Lofton. "Connor is an explosive scorer and he was that tonight. Ethan can score but doesn't get frustrated if the points aren't going on the board for him. He'll rebound, defend and plays with a presence that our team embraces."
Sophomore forward
Trey Lansman (Harlan, Ia.) came out strong early and finished with 17 points, six boards (four offensive), three blocks and two steals. On the perimeter, sophomore guard
Ty Danielson (York) was 3 of 4 from behind the arc to score 11.
Finally, Brozek worked well among the LWU giants, having five rebounds, four assists, three points and a steal.
Three different Lions ended up with 14 points, including guards Brad Newman and LJ McIntosh.
UNK is at Central Oklahoma and Northeastern State next week.
