Kearney, Neb. – Senior forward Trey Lansman had a double double and senior and guard Yashua Trent got close to a triple double to help Nebraska-Kearney out last Pittsburg State in overtime, 101-89, Thursday night at the Health & Sports Center.

This was the MIAA opener for both teams. UNK improves to 4-5 while the Gorillas fall to 5-3.

Both Lansman (Harlan, Ia.) and Trent (Chicago) went all 45 minutes in a game the Lopers led for 39:03. Lansman finished with 39 points, 20 rebounds, five assists and a block with Trent at 24 points, nine assists, eight rebounds and a steal. The dynamic duo combined to go 23 of 28 at the line and 17 of 28 from the field (6 of 10 threes).

"We're a team taking some steps forward. We just have to keep doing it night in and night out. I think every (MIAA) game will be like this and it doesn't get any easier," said Loper head coach Kevin Lofton.

The 20 rebounds for Lansman, 18 coming at the defensive end, tie for the most in UNK's modern era. All-American Dusty Jura also grabbed 20 boards in a March 2007 game vs. Adams State with "Tall" Paul Collison having efforts of 25 and 32 rebounds, respectively, in the late 1950's.

Just 13 days ago, Lansman had 43 points in a win at Colo.-Colo. Springs. He now has eight career games of at least 30 points and is just the fifth Loper to have two games of 39 or more points.

"He's had 43 in a game, 29 in another and now he goes for 39. You're not going to sneak up on anybody," said Lofton. "Everyone is going to double, everyone is going to sag and try to strip him when he dribbles. He just has to be relentless to get open and be patient once he gets it. Mistakes (turnovers) will happen and it's the silly ones we have to stay away from."

In a high scoring and contentious affair, UNK led by as many as nine points in the second half but a new-look Gorilla team hung around and held the Lopers to one point over the final 3:32 of regulation. Down 81-80, Pitt managed to get a steal with the shot clock winding down and reserve guard Jaxon Holden was fouled going to the hoop with six seconds left.

An 83 percent free throw shooter, he nailed the first but missed the second. Lansman grabbed the rebound, Trent raced down the court and found senior guard Lane Rohrich (Pierce) open on the right wing. His three rimmed out as the buzzer sounded and the game win into overtime.

While Kearney outscored Pitt 20-8 in the extra five minutes, the game was tied at 87 with 2:25 left. Lansman converted a three-point play at the 2:04 mark and then both teams missed shots before Trent sunk a three from the top of the key with 60 seconds remaining.

UNK, always a good free throw shooting team, went 8 of 8 at the line and got a fast break layup to finish the scoring. Overall, the Lopers shot a sizzling 57 percent (32 of 56) from the field and 85 percent (28 of 33) at the line.

Of the nine Gorillas to play tonight, five were Division I transfers. They managed to take 13 more shots than the Lopers and finished at 44 percent (30 of 69). Getting out rebounded by 14, Pitt tallied 17 of its points of 17 UNK turnovers.

Besides Lansman and Trent, the Lopers got 10 points and two boards from Bellevue sophomore forward AJ Jackson over 38 minutes, eight points from Alliance freshman reserve forward Austin Luger and five points and four boards from Iowa sophomore reserve forward Kyle Juhl.

"We got some big minutes from some other guys. Austin got us eight points and didn't make any mistakes when he was in there and AJ scored a couple times in the paint that really helped us out," said Lofton

Pitt was led by 6-6 senior wing Xavier Adams (25 points & five rebounds), 6-5 junior guard Donavan Franklin (14 points) and 6-3 junior guard Grant Lozoya (13 points & four assists).

UNK hosts Missouri Southern State Saturday at 4 p.m. The Lions (2-4) fell tonight at Fort Hays State, 76-69.