Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney basketball teams have just one game this week, a road date at Pittsburg State Thursday night.

As usual, tip times are 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Check the schedule pages (women, men) for media links.

Since a 68-64 loss to the Lopers back on January 22nd, the Pitt men (13-8, 9-4) have gone 3-1 to currently be in sole possession of fourth place in the league standings.They saw a three-game win streak end last Saturday with an 82-65 setback at UCO.  

Millard North grad Josiah Gustafson (16.3) and Oregon transfer Devon Branch (14.5) pace the offense. They've combined to make 162 free throws with Branch first on the team in threes made (32) and steals (35).

In the loss at the H & S Center, Branch went for 22 points and three steals as he was 9 of 13 from the field. Gustafson went 8 of 8 at the line to score 13 but was just 2 of 11 from the field. The Gorilla bench did supply 16 points and 14 rebounds, led by 6-7 sophomore Trevor Gregory.

Pitt ranks third in the MIAA in 3-point pct. defense (34.6%) and fourth in 3-point pct. (40.1%) and rebounding margin (+ 2.3).

The Gorillas will certainly be eyeing Loper junior Connor Beranek (Ravenna). The MIAA scoring leader at 19.6 per game, Beranek has been averaging just under 25 points a night over the past six contests.

Based on their current season averages, both Beranek (900) and junior Ethan Brozek (923) could get to 1,000 career points by the end of the season. Only 39 UNK men's players have reached that mark.  

One of the nation's top ranked women's teams, Pitt (21-3, 11-2) has won four in a row after a 62-43 loss at No. 2 Fort Hays State. Their other losses are to No. 9 Emporia State, 65-61, and against Rockhurst, 72-62.

All-American lefty Lizzy Jeronimus (5-11) averages 19.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game while shooting 52% from the field and 86% at the line.

In four career games against the Lopers, she is averaging 22.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. On January 22nd at the H & S Center, Jeronimus had 10 of her 23 points over the final 6:23 to help Pitt post an 86-73 victory.

The other Gorilla in double digits is 6-2 junior post Kylie Gafford (11.4). Shooting 54% from the field, she also has blocked 40 shots and is second to Jeronimus in rebounds (5.8).  

Also, reserve Morgan Westhoff leads the team in 3's made (40) and had five to score 18 in the win over UNK. Finally, Pitt holds teams to 57.1 points per game on 36% shooting (29% 3-point shooting).

The Loper women (11-12, 5-9) are at full strength with the recent return of posts Brandy Jo Blackburn (Payette, Idaho) and Mariam Ridgewell (Boise, Idaho). Blackburn provided three rebounds and two blocks at Ft. Hays last Thursday with Ridgewell having a season-high nine points and four rebounds vs. Washburn on Saturday.

Among the starters, sophomore point guard Alexa Hogberg (Chandler, Ariz.) is up to 119 assists, ninth most in school history. Based on her career average of 5.2, she could finish with the third most dimes in a single season, trailing only Jennifer Warner (177/'96) and Shari Holtmeier (150/'83).

Next week, Kearney hosts Emporia State and Fort Hays State.