Kearney, Neb. - The Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team begins the 2012-13 regular season with a road game at South Dakota Mines (Nov. 11th) and a home date with Sioux Falls (Nov. 14).

Sunday's game tips at 2:00 p.m. Central with Wednesday's contest going off at 6:00 p.m. 

Dave Jenner will have the call for both games on KGFW AM 1340. Fans can watch via live video stream at www.americaonesports.com (for a price). There will be no live stats for the Mines game but live stats are available once again for all home games.

Through two exhibition games, senior guard Ivy Jones (Vallejo, Calif.) is leading UNK at 11.0 ponts per game thanks to 43% shooting from the floor.

Next, junior wing Shelby Zimmerman (Beatrice) is at 9.0 points and 8.5 boards per game with sophomore post Melissa Norman (Elk Grove, Calif.) at 7.5 rpg.

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
The SDMT Hardrockers are in the second year of  two-year probationary period. A former NAIA school that is competing as an independent, they'll earn full D2 status with the 2013-14 academic year. Over the last two seasons, the 'Rockers schedule has been a mix of D2 and NAIA opponents.

In 2011-12, Mines went 16-10, posting a 3-7 mark against D2 or D2 provisional schools. Six-two junior post Justine Blade (12.7 points & 5.1 rebounds), 5-7 senior guard Hillary Hawkins (12.5 points & 4.8 rebounds) and 5-10 junior guard Katie Strandholm (10.3 points & 5.3 rebounds) ranked 1-3 in scoring last year and are all back.

UNK is 2-0 vs. SDMT but the two haven't met since 1977.

U. of Sioux Falls
Like Mines, the Cougars are a former NAIA school. However, USF is further a long in the transition process and is now a full-fledged D2 member.

From the NSIC (Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference), Sioux Falls placed third in the 2011 NAIA Division II National Tournament and went 23-2 last season. Two of their setbacks came to UNO and they beat RMAC members Colorado Mines, 76-55, and Regis, 66-55.

The top two scorers must be replaced with 6-0 junior wing Laura Johnson (10.3 points & 5.6 rebounds) and 5-10 senior guard Alyssa Rushton (9.4 points & 4.2 rebounds) the top returners

The Lopers and USF have never met on the hardwood.