Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team starts MIAA play this weekend with games at No. 4 Pittsburg State and Missouri Southern State.

UNK (3-4) faces the Gorillas (7-0) Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and the Lions (3-4) Saturday at 1:00 p.m. Note some schedules list the UNK/MSSU game as a 1:30 p.m. start. Check the Lopers schedule page for media links.

The defending Central Region Champions, Pitt has crushed its first seven opponents by an average score of 74-46. Their closest margin of victory has been 18 points, they've allowed just 16 three pointers and have a plus 13 rebounding margin.

Junior guard Mikaela Burgess (5-7) leads the way at 16.6 points, 2.6 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. Shooting just 58% at the line, she has sunk a team-best 25 threes.

Seven other Gorillas average between 3.6-9.1 points per game. That balanced group includes 5-11 sophomore forward Madison Northcutt (7.0 points & a team-best 6.7 rebounds per game).

UNK has dropped all seven games to Pitt since joining the MIAA in 2012-13. However, the Lopers did lose by just a 65-58 margin at home last season. UNK had a plus nine rebounding margin in that setback but Pitt made 10 more free throws, 18-8.

Missouri Southern, led by interim head coach Ronnie Ressel, hosts 25th-ranked Fort Hays State Thursday. The Lions are coming off a 59-54 road win at Quincy (Ill.) but suffered lost 73-61 to Harding (Ark.) at home two weeks ago.

Like Pitt, MSSU has just one player in double figures in 5-7 senior guard Deb Holcomb (14.3). She is shooting 75% from the line and 47% from the field (eight made threes). Mo Southern is allowing 78.3 points per game and seen the opposition sink eight threes per game. The Lions also average 16 turnovers a night.

UNK has beaten MSSU twice since becoming an MIAA member; last year at home, 65-50, and four years ago in Joplin, 67-60.

During its recent two-game winning streak, the Lopers have given up just 95 points. On the year, UNK allows 56.9 points a night, fifth best in the MIAA. Offensively, Kearney is among the national leaders in three point attempts (176/25.1 per game). Only Pitt State (207/29.5 pg) has taken more among MIAA schools.

Individually, Battle Creek native and junior newcomer Michaela Barry leads in scoring (12.6), threes made (15) and free throws made (13). She also is second in steals (nine) and third in assists (12).

Finally, among Loper veterans, senior point Alexa Hogberg (Chandler, Ariz.) has 30 dimes to date, fifth most in the MIAA. That pushes her career total to 320, just 54 from breaking the school mark of 373 (Tami Tully, 1992-95).

UNK hosts No. 1 Emporia State and Washburn next weekend before getting a long Holiday break.