Kearney, Neb. - The Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team looks to get back on the winning track this week when Emporia State and Central Oklahoma stop by the Health & Sports Center.

The ESU Hornets visit on Wednesday with UCO coming to town on Friday night. Both games start at 5:30 p.m.

UNK (5-12, 2-8), in order to make the 12-team MIAA Tournament in March, needs some home wins. After starting the year 3-0 at home, UNK has dropped its last three contests.

Later this season, Fort Hays State, NW Missouri State and Lindenwood come to Kearney.

Currently fifth in the MIAA in offensive rebounds per game (13.6) and sixth in steals per game (8.9), UNK is a bit short handed as leading scorer Shelby Zimmerman (Beatrice) is out due to injury. She leads the team in both scoring (11.1) and shooting (52.8%) while pulling down 5.8 rebounds per game.

On the plus side, sophomore post Melissa Norman (Elk Grove, Calif.) ranks in the MIAA top 15 in four categories, including blocks (2nd/1.9) and rebounds (9th/6.9). Swatting five shots last Thursday at Truman State, Norman's 62 career blocks already put her ninth on the Lopers all-time list.

Emporia (10-6, 5-3) has won three in a row, and five of six, to be in sixth place in the league standings.

Posting a 2-5 road record, Emporia took on two RMAC members back in November, beating Western State, 64-44, and falling to CSU-Pueblo, 66-53. More recently, they are coming off an 89-57 home victory over UCO.

Fifth in the MIAA in threes made per game (6.5) and sixth in rebounding margin (+ 3.1), Emporia has a 14-player roster that features five sophomores. Hutchinson C.C. transfer Laura Patrick, a 5-10 guard, leads in scoring at 15.3 points per game. She is an impressive 43 of 99 (43%) from behind the arc while also shooting 82% at the line.

Inside, 5-10 junior forward Desiree Wylie averages a team-best 7.5 rebounds per game In 2000, UNK upset a nationally-ranked Emporia squad, 68-65, in Kearney. The Hornets, however, lead the all-time series, 24-10.

The Bronchos (8-9, 1-8) are on a seven-game losing streak with its lone MIAA win coming on December 6th at home vs. Pitt State, 70-62.

Averaging 66.3 points per game, and giving up 66.0 points, UCO is 15th in the MIAA in rebounding margin (- 7.2).

An 18-player roster features 17 Oklahomans and one Texan. Six-foot senior forward Alyssa Fuxa (12.2) and 5-10 junior guard Jill Bryan (10.1) both score in double digits with Bryan tops at the free throw line (85.4%) and Fuxa at 5.9 rebounds per game.

UCO, with a 3-4 record at home and on the road, has played UNK just once in women's basketball. Back in 1997, the Lopers posted a 79-64 victory in a game played in San Diego.

In a very odd twist, UNK's next two games are against Fort Hays State (Feb. 9 & 16).