Kearney, Neb. - The Nebraska Kearney basketball teams start a four-game home stand Thursday night when the Northeastern State RiverHawks come to the Health & Sports Center.

The women's game tips at 5:35 p.m. with the men starting around 7:45 p.m. Check the schedule pages (women, men) for media and ticket links. For this game, bring a canned food item and receive a $4.00 general admission ticket. This drive benefits the UNK Office of Multicultural Affairs.

Coming off a road win at NW Missouri State last Thursday, the Loper women (8-7, 3-4) are currently ninth in the league standings. NSU (8-6, 4-3) is just ahead and trying to bounce back from a 50-34 setback at Missouri Southern State.

UNK got past NSU, 61-58, last year in Kearney but the 'Hawks rallied past the Lopers in Tahlequah, 64-61.

The 'Hawks rank 13th in the MIAA in scoring (58.6 points per game) and are 12th in field goal shooting (39.6%). Getting out rebounded by six per game. NSU holds opponents to 59.7 points per game, seventh best in the league.

Ten different players average 10 minutes per game with 5-8 senior guard Chelsey Beathard (11.0) and 5-5 senior guard Fontana Tate (10.4) leading the offense. The pair have combined for 53 threes and also average eight rebounds per night.

Kearney, with an impressive 5-2 road mark, hopes to rack up some home wins the next two weeks. The Lopers are holding teams to 68.4 points per game on the road but that number rises to 81.3 in the H & S Center. The new baskets in the arena apparently are liked by all as UNK is shooting 41% at home with opponents making 46% of their field goals.

Individually, junior Laramey Lewis (Trenton) is slated to return after sitting out the trip to Maryville. She ranks in the top 10 in the MIAA in nine different categories, including scoring, rebounding, assists and steals.

On the men's side, UNK (8-5, 4-3) is aiming to stop a two-game skid with NSU (3-11, 1-6) having dropped three in a row and five of six. Last winter, Kearney won 84-65 at the end of the season with NSU out lasting the Lopers in Oklahoma, 90-85.

First-year head coach Jason Tinsley, formerly the head women's coach at Division III Louisiana College, had to replace the top four scorers off last year's 16-13 NSU squad that beat UCM in the second round of the MIAA Tournament. That included guard Bryton Hobbs (23.1 points per game).

An 11-player roster features just two standing 6-4 or taller in 6-6 junior Dakota Caudill (7.0 points & 4.4 rebounds pg) and 6-4 senior Landon DeMasters (6.1 points & 2.8 rebounds pg). Not surprisingly, the 'Hawks are getting out rebounded by nine per game.

Forcing a healthy 18 turnovers a night, NSU is led by 5-11 senior guard Michael Harmon (19.2 ppg). Having two 30 point efforts this year, he has missed the last five contests. Six-three junior Demone Harrison (12.3) and 6-1 senior Keon Littleton (10.1) are the other 'Hawks in double figures.

The Lopers hope to regain their shooting touch soon; UNK has shot below 38% from the 3-point line in seven of the last eight games. Normally around 50% from the field, Kearney has shot 45%, 38% and 33% since coming back from the Holiday Break.

On the plus side, junior post Ethan Brozek (Norfolk Catholic H.S.) is among the MIAA leaders in all the key categories, including points (18.8), rebounds (8.7) and field goal percentage (55%).

The Central Oklahoma Bronchos come to Kearney Saturday night. The Bronchos are at Washburn on Thursday.