Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team returns to the road this weekend with games at Northwest Missouri State and Missouri Western State.

The Lopers face the Bearcats Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and the Griffons Saturday at 2:00 p.m. Check the UNK schedule page for media links.

These are the only meetings with NW (6-9, 1-7) and MW (12-5, 4-4) this season. Due to a scheduling quirk, this marks the third straight winter UNK (4-11, 0-7) has had to play at Maryville. The 'Cats are finally set to come to Kearney next year.

Northwest upset Southwest Baptist, 79-72, last Saturday in Bolivar to stop a nine-game losing streak. Currently 3-4 in Maryville, the 'Cats are led by 5-10 junior forward Tonya Meyer (20.5 points & 9.4 rebounds per game).
 
Shooting an even 50% from the field and 81% at the line, she has doubled her scoring average from last season to be the MIAA's leading scorer and second best rebounder. Next, Australian senior guard Jasmin Howe is at 14.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. Having made a team-best 42 threes, she averaged 8.6 points per game as a junior.

Northwest makes 73% of its free throws and almost has a plus two rebounding margin. However, they also average 15 turnovers a night. Last season, the 'Cats held UNK to 23% shooting in a 62-32 win.
 
The defending MIAA regular season champions, Mo West is 7-2 heading into Thursday night's game against the nationally-ranked Fort Hays State Tigers.
 
Having lost at SBU and Central Missouri last weekend, a 12-player roster features 10 transfers. Five-eight senior guard Chelsea Dewey (12.1) and 5-10 senior guard Dwanisha Tate (11.5) lead in scoring and are also two of the six Griffs to have made 16 or more threes.
 
Forcing an MIAA-best 23 turnovers a night. MWSU also has six players with 20 or more steals. That theft group is led by 5-9 senior guard Sefulu Faavae (48) and 6-3 junior post Julia Torres (33).
 
UNK upset MWSU, 82-76, last year in St. Joe but lost the rematch in the MIAA quarterfinals in Kansas City, 64-53.
 
The Lopers, 0-5 on the road in 2016-17, haven't been away from Kearney since December 3rd. Two days prior to that, UNK opened up MIAA play with an 84-80 overtime setback to current No. 3 Pittsburg State.
 
Kearney shot 62% in the second half and 48% overall to record its highest point total to date in an MIAA game. UNK had three quarters of 20 plus points to have 74 at the end of regulation.
 
Since then, the Lopers have gone over 67 points in one other game (92, York College). Junior guards Michaela Barry (13.5) and McKenzie Brown (10.3) currently account for 37% of UNK's offensive output per night (64.5).

Defensively, Kearney is eighth in the MIAA in scoring defense (61.8) and fourth in threes allowed (4.5 per game). Only Missouri Southern State (10 of 16) has had a double digit triple total against UNK this season.
 
Finally, on the glass, the Blue & Gold have a plus 1.3 margin. Dannebrog wing Courtney Aitken (99) and South Dakota senior Kelsey Fitzgerald (73) lead in board work with Barry third (59). The Lopers have had plus rebounding margins of 61 (Grace), 53 (York) and 37 (Midland). 
 
Next week, Lindenwood (6-9, 2-6)) and Lincoln (2-13, 1-7) come to Buckle Court.