CHADRON – Balanced scoring and strong shooting led the University of Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team to a 78-62 non-conference victory over Chadron State College Friday at the Chicoine Events Center.
 
Chadron State's Roderick Bulter and Davante McCallam each scored 14 points but the Lopers (1-1) shot 45 percent from the field (25 of 56), hit 10 of 21 3-point attempts and sank 18 of 23 foul shots. The Eagles (1-1) shot 35 percent from the field (22 of 63), made eight treys and 10 of 15 from the charity stripe.
 
UNK's Connor Beranek shot just 1-of-9 from the floor but he finished with seven points, grabbed nine boards and dished out six assists. Also for UNK, Ty Danielson scored a game-high 17 points and Ethan Brozek had a double double of 15 points and 10 rebounds.
 
The tight first half – UNK led just 35-31 heading at halftime – featured five ties and four lead changes. The Eagles led by as many as six points midway through the opening 20 minutes but UNK chipped away and took a lead into the locker room after a late layup from Davion Pearson and two foul shots from Brozek.
 
In the second half, UNK hit 48 percent of its shots compared to 32 percent for the Eagles. The Lopers pushed their lead to as many as 22 points before claiming the 78-62 decision.
 
Nine players scored for Charon State. Butler, who had nine rebounds, and McCallam each set career highs in points and both Evan Brooks and Kendrick Holliman finished with eight.
 
Chadron State will be back in action Friday, Nov. 28, for a non-conference game at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.