Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team got scoring from eight different players and shut down Emporia State in the second half to post a 70-57 win Saturday night at the Health & Sports Center.

The Lopers (10-12, 6-7) avenge a December loss to the Hornets (8-14, 3-10) who have dropped seven straight. UNK is now in a three-way tie for sixth place in the MIAA standings.

On "Loper Basketball Alumni" Night, it was the Hornets who came out fast. They never trailed in the first half, led by as many as 10 points and started the game 12 of 18 (67 percent) from the floor. However, UNK closed the half on a 7-2 run and then dominated the final 20 minutes.

"They came out swinging. They scored it pretty consistently in the first half but luckily we went in down only five," said UNK head coach Kevin Lofton. "We shot it a little bit better in the second half which helped fuel our defense. We also got Trey (Lansman) involved a bit more and that obviously helps everything."

The Lopers outscored E-State 38-20 after the break thanks to an even 50 percent (11 of 22) shooting. That included a 5 of 7 effort from the behind the arc and, as an added bonus, 11 of 14 free throwing shooting.  

Meanwhile, Emporia shot an anemic 17 percent (5 of 30) in the second half. Going 1 of 10 from the three point line, the Hornets trailed for the last 18 minutes and never made a serious run down the stretch.

Winning the battle on the glass by nine, 42-33, UNK got 15 points, seven rebounds, four blocks and four assists from senior forward Trey Lansman (Harlan, Ia.). He was 9 of 10 at the line and one of two Lopers whistled for four fouls.

"They are doing everything (to stop Lansman). They biggest thing is they are doubling him or they deny him from catching the ball. If he's out on the perimeter and puts it on the floor, he's got the guy guarding him plus the guy in the gap."

Next, seven others were between six and nine points. That large group included York senior guard Ty Danielson (nine points and eight rebounds), Iowa sophomore reserve forward Kyle Juhl (eight points and three rebounds) and Minnesota freshman reserve post Weston Baker Magrath (six points, four rebounds and one block).

"The balance is exciting. Kyle hit a couple of shots, Isaiah made a couple of plays and Weston had a nice tip in when they were trying to come back," said Lofton. "Everyone contributed and now we have to build on that."

Emporia's two leading scorers on the year, guard Brandon Hall (15.1 ppg) and wing Stephaun Limuel (11.5 ppg), were held to 12 points on a combined 5 of 20 shooting. Forward Hassan Thomas tried to make up the difference by tallying 15 points, five boards, three steals and two blocks.

UNK heads to Central Oklahoma (Thursday) and Northeastern State (Saturday) next weekend.