Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team hopes to push its winning streak to five in a row as it plays at Pittsburg State and Missouri Southern State this weekend.

UNK (5-2) takes on Pitt (1-6) Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and the Lions (4-2) Saturday at 3:00 p.m. Note some schedules list the UNK/MSSU game as a 3:30 p.m. start. Check the Lopers schedule page for media links.

"Cardiac Kearney" has already played four games that have gone down to the wire. UNK managed to hold off Colorado-Colorado Springs, 92-91, and rallied to beat Chadron State in overtime, 75-65, last week. However, Colorado School of Mines and Hastings College managed to hit last second shots to beat the Lopers the week prior.  

While Pitt is 1-6, they are 1-0 at home and beat UNK by a 77-61 score last winter in John Lance Arena.

The Gorillas, riding a four-game losing streak that includes three setbacks in Puerto Rico, are led by 6-6 senior wing Josiah Gustafson. The Millard North graduate was a 2015 second-team All-MIAA pick (15.5 points & 5.4 rebounds per game) but is coming back from off-season surgery.

In three games with two starts, Gustafson is averaging 3.7 points and 1.7 boards a night. Junior guard Dakota Jones (10.7) and junior wing Isaiah Hicks (10.1) are the current offensive leaders as Pitt averages 64 points per game and makes 62% of its free throws.

Missouri Southern and UNK have had multiple battles the past few seasons, seemingly always meeting in the MIAA Tournament.

This year, the Lions are led by Division I transfer CJ Carr (Southern Illinois-Edwardsville). The 5-8, 160 pounds junior guard amassed 47 points, seven steals and five rebounds in a 109-103 OT win over Minnesota State. The MSU Mavericks, like the Lopers, made the 2016 NCAA Tournament.

Carr is currently at 24.0 points, 6.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 3.3 steals per game while shooting 80% at the line.

MSSU is averaging a very healthy 88.5 points per game; they also surrender 85.7 points a night. Like Carr, six-four senior wing JJ Cratit (15.0 ppg) and 6-8 junior post LJ Ross (11.0 points & 5.7 rebounds) are transfers.

After leading the nation in free throw shooting (81.2) last season, UNK is a tick off but still tops in the MIAA at 79.6%. Six Lopers are shooting 80% or better, led by Bellevue freshman Sam Morris (6 for 6). UNK scores 21 of its 79 points per game at the line.

Individually, junior post Trey Lansman (Harlan, Ia.) is at 19.3 points per game, sixth best in the MIAA. He should become the 42^nd Loper with 1,000 career points by this Saturday. The 2016 All-MIAA pick currently has scored 967 points in 68 career games.

Junior guards Yashua Trent (17.1) and Ty Danielson (10.4) are also in double figures, as is third-year sophomore guard Isaiah McKay (12.3).

UNK returns home next weekend to square off against Emporia State and Washburn.