Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney basketball teams finish up this week with a home double header against the Central Oklahoma Bronchos Saturday night.

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.

UNK has won three straight on the women's side (9-7, 4-4) while UCO is coming off a tough 60-52 setback to league leader Fort Hays State Thursday night. That dropped the Bronchos to 13-4 and to third place (6-2) in the MIAA standings.

The 'Chos are still an impressive 6-2 on the road and have the majority of its roster back off last year's 12-16 (6-13) squad.

Using a zone defense, UCO holds teams to 36% shooting and 59.4 points per game. Forcing 18 turnovers a night, the 'Chos also out rebound their opponents by two. A balanced offense has seven players averaging between 5.2-11.3 points per game as UCO shoots 43% from the field and 77% at the line to tally 69.9 points every night.

Five-five junior guard Haley Weathers (11.3) and 5-11 sophomore guard Olivia Mason (10.8) are two of the four starters in double figures. Both shoot well over 80% at the line and have combined to make 52 threes; UCO is fourth in the MIAA in 3's made at 6.4 per game.

UNK beat the 'Chos, 76-71, at home last year but fell in Edmond, 82-70.

In recent wins over NW Missouri and Northeastern Sate, the Lopers allowed just 103 total points (51.5) and committed only 25 turnovers. Offensively, Kearney is shooting, 42% (22 of 52) from behind the arc during its winning streak.

The UCO men (12-5, 5-3) lost 82-72 to the Tigers on Thursday night. Veteran head coach Terry Evans had to replace Josh Gibbs (21.6 points & 11.1 rebounds) off last year's 20-10 squad that reached the MIAA Tournament finals.

Offensively, the Bronchos shoot 49.5% from the field to average an MIAA-best 84.2 points per game. They make 67% of their free throws but overcome that by making nearly nine threes per game.

A balanced attack is led by 6-1 senior Mahlon Jones, who as at the U. of Sioux Falls last year. He is at 14.6 points, 2.9 assists and 2.2 rebounds pg. Next, 6-4 redshirt freshman Garen Wright supplies 12.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game with returning junior Seth Heckart at 10.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game.

UNK beat UCO, 82-79, in the H & S Center last year but lost in Edmond, 96-82.

The Lopers broke out of a three point funk in Thursday's 83-59 win over NSU. Going 13 of 24 (54.1%) from downtown, UNK was coming off a three-game stretch where it sunk just 17 of 62 three point shots (27.4%).,

Next week, Pittsburg State comes to town Thursday and then UNK steps out of league play to host South Dakota Mines Friday night.