Kearney, Neb. – Four starters scored in double figures and Central Missouri went 10 for 10 at the line in overtime to edge Nebraska-Kearney, 88-81, Saturday evening in Warrensburg.

The Mules improve to 12-2 (4-1) while the Lopers fall to 6-9 (2-4).

UCM led for 34 of the 45 minutes but never by more than seven points. The Lopers efforts to hang around paid off as senior forward Trey Lansman (Harlan, Ia.) was fouled attempting a long three with 1.3 seconds left in regulation. Prior to that shot, the Mules went 2 of 4 at the line.

Lansman, tallying 34 points and 16 rebounds, sunk all three free throws. UCM almost won it as a very long three by senior star Spencer Reaves hit the back of the iron. In the extra five minutes, UNK was 3 of 6 from the field with a three pointer but committed back-to-back turnovers. The Mules were just 2 of 5 from the floor but the 10 made free throws put them at 29 of 33 (88 percent) for the day.

"Our guys battled and they've been doing that all year long. This team has been through a lot and we again came out and competed hard. We hate to see it go that way but we did have some fortunate things happen to get us into overtime," said Loper head coach Kevin Lofton.

A deep three from junior Isaiah McKay (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) cut the UCM lead to one, 80-79, at the 3:05 mark of overtime. After a buck in the paint by 6-8, 255 pound junior Jakob Lowrance, UNK had its two turnovers. The Mules closed things out by going 6 of 6 at the line over the final 23 seconds.

"All across the board guys stepped up. Trey played well and Ty, despite being sick, came out and gave us everything he had. We just came up a bit short but I think we got better today," said Lofton.

Going the distance for a second straight game, Lansman (Harlan, Ia.) was 10 of 19 (3 of 7 threes) from the field and 11 of 13 at the line. Having 15 defensive rebounds, he also had four steals, two blocks and an assist.

Next for UNK, York senior guard Ty Danielson had 14 points and before fouling out in regulation with Pierce senior guard Lane Rohrich at 13 points on 6 of 8 shooting. He fouled out late in overtime. Finally, Bellevue sophomore forward AJ Jackson had nine rebounds (four offensive), four points, two blocks and two assists.

Reaves was just 3 of 15 from the field but hit a couple of big shots late in regulation to keep his team in the lead. He finished with 16 points while Lowrance (21 points & 11 rebounds) had a double double. UCM got 19 points off its bench, led by Clarence Smith with nine.

UNK out shot UCM 52 to 37 percent and also had a plus eight rebounding margin. However, the Lopers made 13 fewer free throws and committed 12 more turnovers.

"Trey played 85 minutes in two games and all three of those free throws were dead middle. None were in doubt," said Lofton. "One of these upcoming games we have to steal."

Next week, the Lopers have just one game, a Saturday afternoon affair at rival Fort Hays State. The Tigers (10-5, 3-3) fell at Southwest Baptist today, 75-68.