Kearney, Neb. – Four players scored in double figures and Central Oklahoma grabbed 14 offensive rebounds to beat Nebraska-Kearney, 77-69, Thursday night in Edmond.

The Bronchos (16-7, 9-5) are now 9-2 at home and 11-3 all-time against the Lopers (10-13, 6-8).

Kearney, now 7-11 in games decided by 12 points or less, was hotter than a firecracker in July as it hit seven threes in the first 10 minutes to lead 24-9. York senior guard Ty Danielson hit four of the bombs with junior reserve forward Carter Burns (Ankeny, Ia.) nailing two, junior guard Isaiah McKay (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) having one and freshman post Weston Baker Magrath (Marshall, Minn.) converting a three-point play for good measure.

However, a UCO Broncho squad with five Division I transfers and nine players standing 6-4 or taller went inside to climb back into the things. Thanks to 11 offensive rebounds, they outscored UNK 30-10 the rest of the half to lead by five. A balanced attack saw eight players in the scoring column.

"We shot the ball well in the first half but the thing that did us in was that they rebounded the ball. When we were making all those shots, they were getting second chance opportunities and that helped them hang around. If we were finishing the possessions one and done, we could've really stretched the lead," said Loper head coach Kevin Lofton.

UNK got 19 points and six rebounds from senior forward Trey Lansman (Harlan, Ia.) in the second half to hang around. The Lopers grabbed a 42-41 lead after a UCO turnover and a Lansman jumper. However, UCO wouldn't trail again as they went on an 11-4 run.

"I thought we did what we wanted in terms of post defense. We were able to sag and double; usually, they really enforce their will around the basket with deep post ups. We did a good job of taking that away from them but we couldn't finish possessions in the first half," said Lofton.

The Lopers tried to comeback from a 14-point hole late in the second half, getting the deficit down to 73-67 after a Danielson layup. However, UCO went 3 for 4 at the line to push the lead back to nine.

"We were knocking at the door for a long time but we couldn't get a stop or two that would've put us over the top," said Lofton.

Graduate transfer Marqueese Grayson, formerly of D1 Albany (NY), went for a team-high 20 points on 8 of 13 (4 of 4 threes) shooting. He also had four assists, two rebounds and a steal in 34 minutes.

Former 'Husker Jake Hammond, at 6-9, 230 lbs., had a double double (10 points & 12 rebounds) with Oral Roberts transfer Corbin Byford at 10 points and five boards. Off the bench, junior guard Kole Talbott had 12 points and three boards in 22 minutes. He came in averaging 3.5 points per game.

Lansman (24 points & 12 rebounds) recorded his 12th double double of the year, one of the highest such totals in Division II. He went 8 of 16 (1 of 6 threes) from the field and 7 of 8 at the lien in playing all 40 minutes.

Next, Danielson had 14 of his 16 points in the first half with Burns (six) and Iowa sophomore Kyle Juhl (five) combining for 11 points, six rebounds, five assists and three blocks off the bench. Finally, McKay got close to his first career double double (eight points & a career-best nine rebounds).

UNK is at Northeastern State Saturday afternoon. The RiverHawks (7-15, 3-10) fell tonight in overtime to Fort Hays State, 98-89, its eighth loss in a row.