Kearney, Neb. - The Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team has just one game this weekend, a home tilt with NW Missouri State on Thursday night.

The 5:30 game can be heard on KGFW AM 1340 and be seen (for purchase) on America One. Live stat links are available on the UNK schedule page.

The Lopers (5-7, 2-4), at home for first time since December 20th, won't play in the Health & Sports Center again until a January 24th non-conference game vs. South Dakota Mines.

Under first-year head coach Michael Smith, previously the head man at Truman State, Northwest is off to a 4-7 start that includes a 4-4 mark over the last eight contests.
 
On Monday, a home game with Northeastern State was postponed due to weather and will be played sometime later this year. Last week, Northwest beat Central Oklahoma, 78-72, after falling to Fort Hays State in overtime, 79-69.
    
Averaging 66.5 points per game and shooting 73.6% at the line, Northwest is led by 5-6 junior guard Ariel Easton. The JUCO transfer is at 16.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game with 21 made threes.
    
Besides Easton, Millard West grad Ashleigh Nelson is at 14.2 points and a team-best 2.3 assists per game. The 5-9 junior is one of six 'Cats shooting at least 70% at the line.
    
The other Nebraska native on the team is Bellevue East grad Annie Mathews (6.8 points & a team-best 7.2 rebounds pg), a 5-10 junior forward.

Northwest beat the Lopers by scores of 67-56 (Maryville) and 71-52 (Kearney) last winter.
 
A perfect 3-0 at home, UNK is currently second in the MIAA in steals per game at 10.1. Guards Nicole Arp and Laramey Lewis lead the way, both averaging 1.9 per game.
 
Having a plus 8.7 rebounding margin in home contests, the Lopers are led on the glass by senior Shelby Zimmerman (8.3), junior Amarah Williams (6.1), Lewis (4.7) and South Dakota freshman Kelsey Fitzgerald (4.4).
 
Offensively, Kearney has been better at home, averaging 73.0 points per game. For the season, the team shoots 40.4% from the field (32.7% 3-point line) and 64.8% at the line.
 
Just coming back off the disabled list, Zimmerman (11.8) leads the Lopers in scoring with Williams (10.3) a close second. Six others are between 4.8-8.8 points per game.
 
Next week, UNK heads to Northeastern State (Thursday) and Central Oklahoma (Saturday).