Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney women's basketball team hopes to move up in the MIAA standings this weekend as Central Missouri and Missouri Western State visit the H & S Center.
The Mules (8-3, 2-1) are in Kearney Saturday night at 5:30 p.m. with the Griffons (6-3, 1-2) stopping by Monday at the same time. Check the Loper
schedule page for media and ticket links.
Annually one of the top programs in the MIAA, UCM has had to overcome the departure of Keuna Flax, who averaged 20.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game as a senior last winter. Her play helped the Mules go 26-5 and reach the NCAA Tournament.
Veteran coach Dave Slifer currently has a squad that has lost three games by a total of six points. While UCM shoots only 28.5% from the three point line, they are allowing just 62.0 points per game and force nearly 19 turnovers every night.
Former Nebraska volleyball player Shelby Winkelmann, a 5-9 junior guard, is at 17.1 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. Missing the first three games of the season, the Missouri native shoots 53% from the field and 74% at the line.
Three other starters are in double digits, including 6-3 senior post Revonnia Howard (12.7 points & 9.3 rebounds per game with 21 blocks). UNK has battled UCM each of the past two years, falling 73-66 in Warrensburg in January 2014 and losing 68-63 in Kearney in January 2013.
The Griffons, who visit nationally-ranked Washburn Saturday, are 0-2 on the road and are coming off a 79-64 home loss to Central Oklahoma.
Having a plus eight rebounding margin, MWSU limits teams to 62.7 points per game and 41% shooting from the field. Offensively, they are paced by 6-0 junior guard LaQuinta Jefferson.
From Jefferson College (Mo.), she is at 18.6 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. Shooting 51% from the field, Jefferson is one of two MWSU players to have made 10 or more threes (10).
Last year, UNK fell 55-46 in St. Joe as the Lopers went 9 of 43 (20.9%) from the field.
Offense hasn't been an issue in most games for Kearney (6-6, 1-3) this season. The team, after an 88-64 win over Oklahoma Panhandle on New Year's Eve, is averaging 75.8 points per game and has had efforts of 115, 105, 94 and 92 points.
All five starters score in double digits with four of the five shooting 73% or better from the free throw line. UNK also makes 6.5 threes per game, led by junior
Laramey Lewis (25) and freshman
McKenzie Brown (23).
The Lopers also rebound well, having a + 6.9 margin, while blocking 33 shots and averaging nearly nine steals per game on the defensive end.
After Monday, UNK gets two days to prepare for a Thursday game at NW Missouri State.
