Kearney, Neb. - The Nebraska Kearney men's basketball team hopes to advance in the 2015 MIAA Tournament when it takes on the Missouri Southern State Lions Thursday night in Kansas City.

The quarterfinal game between third-seeded MSSU (18-10) and sixth-seeded UNK (18-0) is scheduled to tip at 8:15 p.m. Fans can listen to the game on KGFW AM 1340; live stats and a video feed are also available.

In the most recent NCAA Central Region rankings, UNK isn't in the top 10 anymore with the Lions now eighth, Central Oklahoma ninth and Pittsburg State 10th. All four of these teams tied for third place, along with Lindenwood. The 64-team NCAA Tournament field will be announced Sunday night with the MIAA members NW Missouri State and Central Missouri having already sewn up spots.

Winning a tiebreaker to be the third seed, Missouri Southern has won three in a row and four of five. They beat Lincoln, 95-79, at home last Saturday and received a bye in the first round.

First-year head coach Jeff Boschee, a former standout at Kansas, has a squad that ranks third in the MIAA in offensive rebounds per game (10.5) and scoring (77.5).

A 16-player roster features six seniors and seven juniors with South Dakota State transfer Taevaunn Prince (6-3, 215 lbs.) leading the way. The second-team All-MIAA pick is at 16.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game while shooting 83% at the line and 49% from the field.

Senior six-foot guards Lane Barlow (11.6 points, 3.8 rebounds) and Cameron Cornelius (11.2 points, 4.3 rebounds) are 2015 All-MIAA honorable mention picks with 6-8, 250 lbs. junior post Greg Renfroe (54 blocks) on the All-MIAA defensive team. Barlow leads the Lions in assists (94) and has sunk 116 free throws with Cornelius one of four player with 20 or more threes (23).

On December 4th in Kearney, UNK shot over 60% for much of the night and sank eight first half threes en route to a 93-73 win over MSSU. The Lopers led 51-25 at the break and were ahead by as much as 38 points.

Juniors Connor Beranek and Ethan Brozek both scored 21 points with the the Lions having four reach double figures, led by Prince with 12 (6 of 16 FG).

The MSSU-UNK winner faces either UCM or UCO Saturday at 2:15 p.m.