Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team will try and make it five in a row when it travels to rival Fort Hays State Tuesday night.

Having won 7 of its last 10 games, the Lopers (11-14, 7-10) are now in a three-way tie for the eighth place in the MIAA standings. The pairings for the 12-team MIAA Tournament will be announced this Saturday night at the conclusion of the regular season. Seeds five through eight host a game on Tuesday, February 28th. 

The 88th all-time meeting between UNK and the Tigers tips at 5:30 p.m. Check the schedule page for media links.

Hays (19-7, 10-7), an impressive 12-1 in Gross Memorial Coliseum this winter, is currently in sole possession of sixth place in the league. They are a game behind Missouri Western State and a game in front of Washburn.

Having won 13 straight over UNK, the Tigers are coming off a 76-72 setback at 18th-ranked Central Oklahoma on Saturday. Since posting a 57-51 decision over the Lopers back on January 12th, Hays now has a 5-5 mark.

A very balanced attack has eight players averaging between 5.0-11.3 points per game. The Tigers have the MIAA's second best turnover margin (+ 5.7) and maintain a solid + 7.8 rebounding margin as well. 

Beatrice senior wing Jill Faxon (11.3 points & 5.2 rebounds per game) leads with sophomore Tatyana Legette (9.7 points & 7.6 rebounds pg) close to a double double. Back in January, Hays outscored UNK 18-2 in the second quarter to take control. Overall, reserve Carly Heim (7.0 avg.) scored a team-best 12 with six-foot freshman Kacey Kennett having 11.

The Lopers got 15 points from junior guard Michaela Barry (Battle Creek) that night with senior point guard Alexa Hogberg (Chandler, Ariz.) adding 13. UNK saw the Tigers score 21 of its points off of 16 turnovers.

In seven of the last 10 games, Kearney has not only out rebounded its opponent but also had fewer than 15 turnovers. Offensively, the team is averaging nine made threes per game with the main culprits being Barry (team-best 54) and junior McKenzie Brown (53).

Hays visits eighth-place Southwest Baptist (15-11, 7-10) on Thursday night. The Lopers and Bearcats then square off Saturday afternoon.