Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team has just one game this week, a Saturday road contest at rival Fort Hays State.

The 89th all-time meeting between the Lopers (11-3, 3-3) and Tigers (12-3, 3-3) is set for 2 p.m. from venerable Gross Memorial Coliseum. Check the UNK schedule page for media links.

UNK hasn't tasted victory over Hays in almost a decade. Back in November 2008, All-American Jade Meads threw in a last second 15-footer to beat the Tigers, 55-54. The Lopers have dropped all 14 games since although the last four losses have come by just 25 combined points with two games going into overtime. 

FHSU is almost untouchable at home, having won 84 of its last 88 in Gross. The always stingy Tigers are currently second in the MIAA in both scoring (54.1) and field goal percentage (34.7) defense and second in turnover (+4.6) and rebounding (+8.8) margins.
 
Tied with the Tigers and two others for seventh in the MIAA standings, the Lopers enter the week the best team in the MIAA at not fouling. UNK's opponents have attempted (146/10.4 per game) and made (100/7.1 per game) the fewest free throws in the league. To help even more, opponents are making just 69 percent of its freebies, lowest in the conference. 

Nationally, Kearney ranks 11th in fewest fouls committed per game (13.2). UNK is also among D2's best at making free throws (76.2 percent), defensive rebounds (29.2 per game) and turnover margin (+2.6). The Lopers are on pace to challenge the school record for free throw percentage in a season (76.8), set back in 2010-11.

Individually, senior guard Michaela Barry (Battle Creek) ranks in the MIAA top 12 in four categories, including scoring (15.2 per game). In her collegiate career, she is now up to 1,171 points on 176 made threes. 
 
Next weekend, the Lopers host 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: 12-3 (3-3)

2017-18 Notable Results: Beat Newman, 76-63; Beat Pitt State, 75-70; Lost at #12 Central Missouri, 71-51

Player to Watch: 5-10 junior forward Tatyana Legette (13.6 points, 8.1 rebounds 2.7 assists & per game) and 6-0 sophomore Kacey Kennett (12.9 points & 4.3 rebounds per game)

Team Numbers: 72.5 points per game, + 18.8 scoring margin, + 9.6 rebounding margin, + 4.6 turnover margin, 72% at the line