Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team, off to the third best start in school history, looks to keep it going this weekend when it travels to league powers Emporia State and Washburn.

Check the Loper schedule page for tip times and media links. Before the New Year, UNK (8-0, 2-0) will host Manhattan Christian College (Dec. 16) and York College (Dec. 30).

UNK is off to its best start in 17 years thanks to a balanced attack, dominating work at the line and some stingy defense. The Lopers have also been living right, winning three games in overtime and posting a 5-0 mark in games decided by seven points or less. 

Veterans Alyssa Frauendorfer (Humphrey), Michaela Barry (Battle Creek) and McKenzie Brown (G.I. Northwest) are combining for 44 points, 16 rebounds and six assists per game. Each also shoots at least 77% at the line, an area which has become very good to the Lopers.

Kearney ranks 32nd in Division II in both free throw percentage and made free throws (17.0). Amazingly, UNK has an 80 point advantage at the line as it averages those 17 makes per game while its opponent is attempting only 11 free throws nightly. Last year, that figure was 19 per game.

Defensively, UNK is holding teams to 38% field goal shooting and 62 points per game. Those are similar numbers to last season but Loper opponents, so far, are connecting on only 26% of its three pointers. That ranks second best in the MIAA.

On Thursday, UNK faces an Emporia team that lost star guard Addie Lackey to injury back in October. The Hornets already had to replace graduated stars Kelly Moten (2017 MIAA P.O.Y.) and Kathryn Flott. The Washburn Ichabods, who host 29th-ranked Fort Hays State Wednesday, have a 19-player roster that features one senior and five juniors. Eighteen players have already seen action.

Emporia State (4-2)
2016-17 Record: 29-5 (15-4)

2017-18 Notable Results: Lost 74-66 at Newman, Beat Oklahoma Christian 107-88

Player to Watch: Junior forwards Emily Miller (15.8 points & 3.5 rebounds per game) and Tyra Jones (15.7 points & 7.3 rebounds per game)

Team Numbers:  81.0 points per game, + 7.0 scoring margin, + 8.3 rebounding margin, - 0.2 turnover margin, 65% at the line

Washburn (6-1, 0-0)
2016-17 Record: 17-12 (10-9 MIAA)

2017-18 Notable Results: Lost 52-45 at Newman, Beat St. Cloud State 58-55, Beat Minnesota State 78-65

Players to Watch: Sophomore guard Reagan Phelan (14.0 points & 3.4 rebounds per game) and freshman post Mackenzie Loe (12.1 points & 3.4 rebounds per game)

Team Numbers:  73.9 points per game, + 15.6 scoring margin, + 6.0 rebounding margin, +3.0 turnover margin, 68% at the line