Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team looks to win at Fort Hays State for a second straight year when it travels to Gross Memorial Coliseum Saturday afternoon.

The 128th meeting between the Lopers (6-9, 2-4) and Tigers (10-5, 3-3) is the only game for either team this week. Tip time is slated for 4 p.m.; check the UNK schedule page for media links.

As any good rival would like to do, the Lopers ruined FHSU's "Senior Night" last February. Thanks to 64 percent shooting from the field, including a 14 of 23 effort from behind the arc, UNK posted a 101-88 victory. Four starters reached double figures as Kearney won in Gross for the first time in 11 years. Overall, the Lopers have won four straight over the Tigers but trail in the all-time series, 78-49.

UNK continues to get a Herculean effort from preseason All-American Trey Lansman (Harlan, Ia.) every time out. Despite averaging an MIAA-high 37 minutes a game, he is now at a double double for the season (22.3 points and 10.1 rebounds per game). Only super southpaw Dusty Jura, in 2006-07, has averaged a double double (20.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per game) in UNK's Division II era (1991-present).

Last weekend, playing all 85 game minutes, Lansman averaged a staggering 31.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 3.5 steals and 3.0 blocks a night. He now is ranks in the D2 Top 20 in seven categories, including scoring, rebounding and double doubles (eight). Finally, Lansman needs just 265 more points to become the sixth Loper to reach 2,000 in a career. He should reach that figure sometime in mid-February.

Team wise, UNK looks to improve upon its 1-8 road record. Kearney has been a bit snake bit, dropping those eight game by an average of just nine points. In 2016 and 2017, the Lopers were .500 (15-15) in true road games.

Next weekend, the Lopers host defending national champion Northwest Missouri State (Thursday) and Missouri Western State (Saturday). It'll be the Bearcats first trip to Kearney in 1,469 days.


Fort Hays State U. Tigers
2017-18 Record: 10-5 (3-3)

2017-18 Notable Results: Beat SW Minnesota State, 85-66; Lost at Colorado Mines, 109-101 in 2 OT; Lost at Central Missouri, 81-66

Player to Watch: 6-5 senior forward Hadley Gillum (17.3 points, 6.5 rebounds & 1.7 assists per game) and 6-7 junior forward Brady Werth (10.9 points, 4.7 rebounds & 1.1 blocks per game)

Team Numbers: 81.8 points per game, + 13.0 scoring margin, + 2.6 rebounding margin, + 5.0 turnover margin, 78% at the line, 8-0 at home