Box Score Kearney, Neb. – Sophomore guard Ty Danielson hit a three pointer with six seconds left and Central  Missouri missed the front end of a one-and-one free throw soon after as Nebraska-Kearney nipped the Mules, 57-55, Saturday evening on the Buckle Court at the Health & Sports Center.
 
UNK (14-8, 10-6) has won five in a row to be in sole possession of fourth place in the MIAA standings. The top four teams at the end of the regular season receive a first round bye in the league tournament.
 
In a wild game that featured nine ties and 14 lead changes, the Lopers appeared to trail 53-49 with just over 2:00 remaining. However, after a video review, it was determined UCM's Brad Woodson didn't beat the shot block, resulting in a team turnover.
 
While two free throws from junior guard Josh Sweet (Topeka, Kan.) tied things at 51 soon after, momentum quickly swung back to the Mules (13-9, 7-9) as they scored four points in 40 seconds.
 
Scoring a game-high 22, Iowa sophomore forward Trey Lansman took a pass from Sweet and swished a three from the right wing with 48 seconds to go to keep UNK's hopes alive.
 
UCM freshman post Jakob Lowrance (6-8, 270 lbs.) finished the day with 15 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. His team turned to him but his three from the left wing hit the back of the iron and was rebounded by Lansman with 17 seconds left.
 
Ravenna senior Connor Beranek eventually got the ball and he found Danielson (York) open on the left wing. To that point, he was 0 of 4 from behind the arc but he made this one.
 
The Mules still had two chances to tie as senior guard D'Marnier Cunningham raced down the floor and got a shot off in the lane. It missed but Norfolk senior Ethan Brozek  was called for a foul while battling Lowrance for the rebound.
 
A 63% free throw shooter on the year, he missed the free shot with less than a second remaining on the game clock.
 
"It says something about Connor to trust me. He very easily could've taken the shot. He found me and gave me the chance to make it," said Danielson. "The unsung hero is Trey. We're down four with the shot clock winding down and he hits a three. If he doesn't make that, we don't even have a chance in the end."
 
Back in December, these teams combined for 193 points in a 98-95 UNK overtime win. Today, both clubs shot under 44% with UNK holding a 23-22 halftime lead in a slowdown, defensive struggle.
 
"We found a way to grind it out," said UNK head coach Kevin Lofton. "We had a feel for what they were doing (when down 53-49). We got a feel in the second half for how to attack whatever defense they ran."
 
To reach his point total, Lansman was 8 of 17 (4 of 7 threes) from the field. He fell one rebound shy of a double double and also had two of the Lopers six blocks. Next, Beranek (12) and Brozek (11) scored in double digits with Danielson at seven points, six boards and three assists.
 
"Some of it (offensive struggles) was us. Our three point percentage wasn't great; over the last four games, we were getting identical shots and knocking them down. We missed open jump shots and some layups," said Lofton. "They slowed the game to a snail's pace and mixed up their defense."
 
Besides Lowrance, UCM saw post Marquiez Lawrence have a double double (13 points & 10 rebounds) .
 
The Lopers are at Missouri Southern State (14-9, 11-6) Thursday night.