Kearney, Neb. – For the first time in seven years, the Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team will host a first round conference tournament game.

The Lopers (15-13) are the eighth seed in this year's MIAA Tournament and take on ninth seed Southwest Baptist (16-12) Monday, February 29th, at 7:00 p.m. Click HERE for the complete tourney bracket.

As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) from 1995-2012, UNK never lost a first round home game in the postseason tournament, going 14-0.

Over the last three years, the Lopers have dropped MIAA Tournament first round games at Fort Hays State (2014) and Central Oklahoma (2015). Overall, UNK's last postseason win was a 2009 RMAC first round home game vs. Adams State (Colo.), 83-60.

This winter, the Loper swept the season series from the Bearcats, winning a December game in Bolivar, 89-75, and taking the rematch in Kearney, 64-52. That contest was held on February 4th. Between 2013-2015, SBU won all three games with the Lopers, including an 81-69 decision in the Health & Sports Center last season.

Senior guard Laramey Becker (Trenton) is averaging 24.5 points against SBU this year, making all 13 free throws she has attempted while shooting 63% from the floor.

On the other side, sophomore guard Megan Rosenbohm (10.7 ppg) has tallied 31 points against UNK with freshman post Caylee Richardson (9.5 points & 11.0 rebounds) close to a double double. She is the 'Cats top player on the year, averaging 13.1 points and 7.9 rebounds per game.

Two years ago, SBU made a run as the tournament's 11th seed, winning at Washburn and beat Pittsburg State in Kansas City before falling to Emporia State.