Kearney, Neb. – Preseason All-American forward Trey Lansman scored 43 points, tied for second most in Nebraska-Kearney history, to help the Lopers hold off Colorado-Colorado Springs, 94-81, Friday night in Colorado.

Both teams are 2-2 on the young season. This is the second year in a row these squads have played a close and high scoring affair as NK won last November in the Health & Sports Center, 92-91.

Lansman (Harlan, Ia.) was hot from the opening tip as he scored 23 in the first half and 20 in the second. Playing 38 minutes, he finished 15 of 26 (6 of 11 threes) from the field and 7 of 10 at the line. He also had six rebounds, two steals and an assist.

UCCS did lead 5-0 but a Lansman three started a 17-5 run and the Lopers were off and running. UNK opened up a 27-17 lead but the Lions came back to trail by just four, 44-40, at the break.

The Lopers never trailed over the final 20 minutes but also never put UCCS completely away. Two Lansman free throws, after a Lions turnover, made it 71-62 with 7:20 to play. Springs responded with an 11-3 run, capped by a put back layup by Brandon Malone at the 4:40 mark.

Senior guard Ty Danielson (York) was fouled attempting a three pointer 30 seconds later and sunk the subsequent free throws. Danielson then recorded one of UNK's 12 steals and that led to a made three from junior forward Carter Burns (Ankeny, Ia.). Now up 80-73, the Lopers went 8 of 8 at the line to salt things away. 

Overall, UNK shot an even 50 percent (31 of 62) from the field, including a 10 of 20 effort from downtown. Besides Lansman tying his career-high of six makes, Danielson went 3 for 3. And while UCCS had a plus 10 rebounding margin, UNK had a plus 10 turnover margin and that led to 29 points.

Besides Lansman, Danielson went for 20 points (7 of 7 free throws) and Chicago senior guard Yashua Trent came off the bench to have 14 points and four steals in 22 minutes.

Malone paced UCCS by scoring 24 points on 10 of 16 (4 of 7 threes) shooting.

UNK heads to nationally-ranked Colorado School of Mines Saturday night. The Orediggers (3-0) beat Fort Hays State tonight in two overtimes, 109-101.

UNK Individual Points Scored in a Game
1.       51      Tom Kropp (at Central Missouri, 12/16/74)
2.       43     Trey Lansman (at UCCS, 11/17/17)
          43      Eric Strand (vs. Chadron State, 2/6/98)
          43      Bart Kofoed (at Creighton, 12/21/85)