Kearney, Neb. – After almost upsetting top-ranked Fort Hays State last Saturday on the road, the Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team heads to Warrensburg, Mo., this weekend to conclude the first semester.

UNK (5-5, 1-3) faces the Central Missouri Jennies (2-6, 1-2) Saturday at 2:00 p.m. Check the Loper schedule page for media link. UCM gets to host the FHSU Tigers on Thursday night.

The Lopers have had the unique opportunity to face two different to-ranked teams this season. Kearney fell at home to Emporia State, 73-64, on December 3rd. The Hornets then lost at Hays, 71-70, two days later, propelling the Tigers into the nation's top spot.

Through 10 games, Kearney's opponents have a solid 62.5 winning percentage. Besides FHSU and ESU, Sioux Falls is 10-1 and sitting just outside the Top 25.

The UCM Jennies have dropped four of five, including last Saturday at Emporia, 71-55. Veteran head coach Dave Slifer has a group getting out rebounded by nearly five per night but also forces 17 turnovers a game, shoots 72% at the line and averages seven made triples.

Former Nebraska volleyball player Shelby Winkelmann, after helping Jennie volleyball reach the NCAA's, is averaging an impressive 19.2 points through five games. The 5-9 senior guard is making over half her shots, shooting 95% at the line and handing out two assists an appearance.

Another 5-9 senior guard, Tayler Weiks, is at 11.1 points per game, the only other player in double digits. She has made 40% of the Jennies three pointers (21 of 53) to date. Off the bench, Kansas State transfer Ashley Jones (6-2) is at 9.9 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. The senior also has 10 steals and seven blocks.

The Lopers are 0-3 vs. UCM since joining the MIAA but two of the games were decided by seven points or less.

Early in Saturday's game, Trenton senior guard Laramey Becker will become just the 24th UNK woman to reach 1,000 career points.

The MIAA Co-Female Player of the Week for December 14th has been in double figures the past nine games, pushing her career point total to 995. The four-year starter will be the first in the 1k club since Vanessa Leeper-Jones in 2012.

Currently, Becker ranks in the MIAA top 10 in six different categories, including steals (3rd/2.3), minutes (4th/33.6) and points (8th/15.1).

She and Grand Island sophomore McKenzie Brown have both sank 21 three pointers, making them two of the top perimeter threats in the league. In UNK history, Becker is sixth in made triples (138) with Brown (79) needing just two more to join the top 10.  

Inside, newcomers Bri Starks (Hutchinson, Kans.), Imani Kyser (Madison, Ala.) and Kennedy Sander (Lincoln Pius X) are combining for 27.9 points, 14.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game.

The Lopers are off, due to the Division II Moratorium, from December 21-27. They'll return to practice on December 28th in preparation for home games January 2nd (Missouri Southern State) and 4th (Pittsburg State).