Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team returns to RMAC Territory this weekend to face Colorado-Colorado Springs and Metro State.

UNK (2-1) faces UCCS Friday at 6:00 p.m. Central and then takes on the Roadrunners Saturday at 8:00 p.m. Central.

The games are part of the Metro State Classic and will be held in the Auraria Events Center. For both games, an America One broadcast is available as well as live stats.

The Metro game is also be carried by their student radio station.

The Mountain Lions (1-1) were picked to win the RMAC this year and are led by 5-11 junior guard Abby Kirchoff, the RMAC Preseason Player of the Year.

In 2012-13, UCCS went 19-8 (16-6) with Kirchoff averaging 14.1 points and rank in the Division II top 25 for field goal percentage.

Last weekend, they lost to NSIC-member Bemidji State, 85-76, and beat D2 newcomer California Baptist, 76-64. Kirchoff is averaging 21.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game with 5-11 sophomore forward Tori Fisher (12.0 points & 9.0 rebounds) close to a double double.

UNK is 22-5 all-time vs. Springs but the Lions won the last game, 73-66, two years ago in Kearney.

Metro has yet to play a game this season. They'll take on 24th-ranked Minnesota State Friday, a team led by a former Loper, Emilee (Gusso) Thiesse.

Going 21-10 last year and reaching the second round of the NCAA's, the 'Runners were picked third in the RMAC preseason poll. Senior forward Amy Nelson (5-11) was the only Metro player on the preseason team; she averaged a team-best 11.3 points per game while shooting 46% from the field.

As a team, Metro gave up just 54.4 points per game last season. UNK leads the all-time series, 23-17, but the 'Runners have won five in a row over the Lopers.
 
Through the first three games, senior Shelby Zimmerman is leading the Lopers, averaging 17.7 points and 9.7 rebounds an appearance. To reach those numbers, she is shooting 73% at the line, 57% from the field and has 20 defensive caroms.

Junior newcomer Amarah Williams (12.7) is the other Loper in double digits with senior Nicole Arp leading the squad in assists (13), steals (six) and free throw shooting (77%).

UNK is at Sioux Falls on Tuesday, November 26th, and then is off until December 5th.