Kearney, Neb. – The high-scoring Nebraska Kearney women's basketball team hosts Missouri Southern State and Southwest Baptist this weekend to start MIAA play.
The undefeated Lions (6-0) stop by Thursday night at 5:30 p.m. with the Bearcats (3-2) visiting Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Check the
schedule page for media and ticket links.
Coming off a 19-8 season, MSSU is beating its foes by an average of 33 points. One of those victories was an 83-47 decision over Oklahoma Panhandle State; the Lopers beat the Aggies by a 92-61 count on Sunday.
The Lions are stingy on the defensive end, holding teams to 31% field goal shooting and 44 points per game. Forcing 21 turnovers a night, they currently have a plus 18.5 rebounding margin despite having just one six footer on the roster.
A balanced attack features 5-8 junior guard Sharese Jones (14.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists per game) and 5-7 senior guard Nicole Hartzog (12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds & 2.8 steals pg).
Last season in Joplin, MSSU forced 27 turnovers and made 21 free throws to beat the Lopers, 76-72. Among current players, Jones had 16 points, nine rebounds (five offensive), two assists and two blocks.
The Lopers saw senior post
Amarah Williams (St. Louis, Mo.) make 9 of 12 shots to finish with a team-best 22 points.
SBU is at 18th-ranked Washburn on Thursday night. The Bearcats have won three in a row, the last being a 54-43 decision over D2 newcomer McKendree (Ill.) on November 29th.
Eight 'Cats stand 6-0 or taller but SBU is getting out rebounded by about one per game. Shooting 41% from the field and 67% at the line, Southwest is led by Drake transfer Dilonna Johnson and junior wing Brook Duncan.
A 5-7 guard, Johnson is at 12.4 points, 2.8 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game with Duncan (6-0) supplying 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per night.
In the only meeting between the two last year, Southwest posted an 85-66 win over the Lopers in Bolivar. Duncan had a double double (13 rebounds & 11 points) with Johnson at 13 points and six assists. Silver Lake grad Mackenize Skupa (6-2) tallied a team-high 22 points as well.
Williams went 7 of 10 from the field to score 16 for the Lopers.
Scoring hasn't been issue for UNK of late as they now are tied for the MIAA lead in offense at 83.5 points per game.
Reaching 92 points in each of the last four games, the Lopers lead the league in three point shooting (40%) and are second in threes made per game (7.7) and offensive rebounds per night (17.5). Williams (17.8) leads the team in scoring with the four other starters also averaging in double figures.
Defensively, UNK is giving up 77.8 points per game but holding teams to 29% three point shooting. The Lopers also average 2.3 blocks a night and have a plus 10.3 rebounding margin.
Next week, Kearney returns to non-conference action to face South Dakota Mines on Saturday, December 13th, in Rapid City
