Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team returns to action Saturday evening when it hosts the York College Panthers.

The game from the Buckle Court tips at 5:30 p.m. This is UNK's final non-conference game of the 2017-18 season; the Lopers are 9-0 to date in non-MIAA contests. Check the women's basketball schedule page for media links.

UNK last played on December 16 when it blasted Manhattan Christian (Kan.) College, 96-22. The Lopers practiced twice after that and then was off during the Division II moratorium (Dec. 20-26). The team returned to practice on the night of December 27.

Through 11 games, Kearney is seventh in the 14-team MIAA in both scoring offense (73.4) and scoring defense (60.3). The Lopers also are seventh in field goal percentage (42.1), three point percentage defense (28.4) and offensive rebounds (12.2 per game).

UNK remains one of the busiest Division II teams at the free throw line, sinking 171 of 223 attempts (76.7). That sharp shooting is just off the school record of 76.8 percent, set back in the 2010-11 season. Defensively, the Lopers aren't fouling very often as the opposition has gone to the line only 111 times, fewest in the MIAA.

Finally, UNK has yet to lose in the Health & Sports Center (6-0). In those victories, opponents are averaging just 53 points per game.

The Lopers head to Southwest Baptist (Jan. 4) and nationally-ranked Central Missouri (Jan. 6) next weekend. 

York College Panthers
2017-18 Record: 4-10

2017-18 Notable Results: Lost to Newman, 95-48; Beat Peru State, 59-50

Players to Watch: 6-3 freshman forward Ve'a Gauta (12.3 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game) and 5-9 senior guard Kelsey Sharkey (7.7 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game)

Team Numbers:  56.7 points per game, - 13.1 scoring margin, + 0.7 rebounding margin, - 5.4 turnover margin, 62% at the line, 36% from the field