Box Score UNK Press Conference: HERE  FHSU Press Conference: HERE

Kearney, Neb. – Senior forward Connor Beranek scored 37 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to help Nebraska-Kearney beat rival Fort Hays State, 79-67, Saturday night in an NCAA Tournament game in Sioux Falls, S.D.
 
The Lopers (21-11), the fourth-seed in the Central Region, will play top-seed and 2nd-ranked Augustana University Sunday at 7:30 p.m. The Vikings (29-2) won tonight's early game over Harding (Ark.), 100-85.
 
Facing the Tigers (20-11) for the 125^th time in school history, UNK made 25 of 29 free throws and shot 49 percent from the field to lead most of the night. As usual, a big reason why was Beranek, who fell three points of tying his career-high.
 
Recording his 10th double double of the season and having a third straight 30-point effort, Beranek went 11 of 23 from the field (0 of 1 threes) and 15 of 19 at the line. Playing all 40 minutes, he grabbed 10 defensive boards and also managed two assists, two steals and a block.
 
For the season, he is now at an even 800 points (25.0 per game).
 
"The rivalry with Hays is a big one. We don't like to lose to them, they don't like losing to us," said Beranek. "We stepped up when we need to make some plays. The guys were finding me on cuts; thank god they kept fouling me because I couldn't make a layup."
 
To win an NCAA game for the first time in nine years, UNK erased an early 9-4 deficit with a 15-5 run. Beranek had 10 of these points with York sophomore guard Ty Danielson sinking a three.  
 
The Lopers didn't trail the rest of the night but Hays hung around, never letting the deficit get bigger than 12 points. Down 37-31 at the half, the Tigers twice got within four points, the last being at 56-52 with 7:23 to play.
 
UNK missed a three and then had a turnover but FHSU couldn't capitalize. Sophomore forward Trey Lansman (Harlan, Ia.) followed with a layup and then the Lopers, the best free throw shooting team in the NCAA, went 6 of 6 at the line in the next two minutes to open up a 64-54 advantage
 
"We feel very fortunate to be here. This was the third time we played Hays so we knew it would be a grind it out affair," said Loper head coach Kevin Lofton. "We're proud of our basketball team. I thought we did a good job of sharing the ball and Connor really stepped up. We did some good thing out there as a unit and that's what I'm most proud of."
 
Four Loper starters, including Beranek, were called for four fouls. Hays didn't take advantage, going 15 of 25 at the line. They also shot 38 percent (12 of 32) in the second half and were out rebounded 36-30.
 
Besides Beranek, Lansman had 16 points and seven boards, Norfolk senior Ethan Brozek went for 10 points and two assists in 27 minutes with Danielson a perfect 10 of 10 at the line to score 16.
 
Senior guard Craig Nicholson paced the Hays attack, having 19 points and four assists.
 
"Just looking at them (Augustana), we play similar styles. They let their kids play and there isn't a ton of sets. They just have good basketball players," said