Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Senior Connor Beranek scored 34 points and set a new school record for made free throws in a season as Nebraska-Kearney got past Northeastern State in overtime, 87-82, Saturday afternoon in Tahlequah, Okla.
 
The Lopers (18-10, 14-8) end the year tied with Missouri Southern State for second place in the MIAA. Based on UNK's two wins over the Lions, they'll be the second seed in next week's conference tournament.
 
Fighting foul trouble all afternoon, Kearney was seemingly poised for a 70-68 win after a three by freshman reserve Carter Burns (Ankeny, Ia.) with 21 seconds left in regulation.
 
However, the Lopers couldn't corral the ball after NSU's Terry Mohair missed a layup with six seconds left. After a timeout, the RiverHawks (8-18, 7-15) inbound the ball near half court and could only muster a last second heave that fell short. 
 
But, a foul was called on UNK underneath the basket. Montre Williams, NSU's best free throw shooter on the season at 85%, calmly made two free throws with three tenths of a second on the clock.
 
The teams went back and forth in the extra session, the Lopers benefitting from a technical foul on Williams after he sunk a triple. NSU eventually led 80-77 with 2:36 remaining when UNK made its move. Closing on a 10-2 run, a Beranek (Ravenna) three tied things up and then a made free throw and bucket from senior Ethan Brozek (Norfolk Catholic) put Kearney ahead for good. 
 
With the shot clock winding down, Beranek sunk another jumper to make it 85-82. NSU had a chance to tie but a three from Peyton Pratt misfired and two free throws from sophomore Ty Danielson (York) ended the scoring.
 
"We're not the only team that has snatched one away from them at the end. On the season, they lose by an average of two points," said UNK head coach Kevin Lofton. "Thankfully, our guys responded to the challenge at the end. I can't say enough about Carter coming in and sticking that shot from the corner."
 
Shooting 53% (32 of 61) from the floor and 81% (17 of 21) at the line helped UNK overcome 15 turnovers. Brozek (45 minutes), Pierce sophomore Lane Rohrich (43) and Beranek (42) were on the court a lot as Iowa sophomore Trey Lansman followed out with eight minutes left.
 
To record his eighth 30-point game of the year, Beranek was 12 of 19 from the floor, including a season-best 4 of 5 from long distance.  A 6 of 7 effort at the line gives him 208 makes on the season, better than the 205 Nick Branting sunk in 2003-04.
 
Beranek also grabbed a team-best nine rebounds (eight defensive). Next, Lansman went for 21 points and five boards in 29 minutes with Brozek close to a rare triple double; 19 points, nine assists and eight rebounds.facilitated
 
"I was proud of Connor. He facilitated our offense and made big shots tonight but also trusted his teammates to make some," said Lofton. "We had to regroup at the end of regulation. Our kids stood up in overtime and I'm proud of them."
 
NSU got an amazing 47 points off its bench, led by Williams (23) and Mytaa'h Crawford (19). The duo was a combined 14 of 25 from the field (5 of 11 threes).