Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team, now tied for third place in the MIAA standings, hosts longtime league powers Washburn and Emporia State this weekend.

The Lopers (16-3, 8-3) have won eight of nine to vault in conference title and NCAA Tournament races. Check the Loper schedule page for tip times and media links; note the unique start time on Saturday.

Both Washburn (14-6, 6-5) and Emporia State (13-5, 8-3) cruised to home wins over UNK back in early December. However, the Lopers were minus graduate transfer Alyssa Frauendorfer (12.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game) that weekend due to injury. Kearney is 14-1 with the four-time volleyball All-American in the lineup.

UNK is also 10-0 at home and 9-0 in games decided by 10 points or less. Those "barn burners" include a 4-0 mark in overtime games. The Lopers are outscoring its opponents by an average of 21-15 in the fourth quarter, helping erase several large deficits.

Individually, senior guard Michaela Barry (Battle Creek) is once again the MIAA Player of the Week after recording efforts of 33 and 24 points, respectively, at Lindenwood and Lincoln last weekend. She is averaging just under 30 points in the last four games and now ranks fifth in the league (18.2) in scoring. Career wise, she's about to become the 36th  Loper to reach the 800-career point milestone.

The Blue and Gold has its final regular season road trip next weekend, visiting nationally-ranked Central Oklahoma and Northeastern State.
 

Washburn U. Ichabods
2017-18 Record: 14-6 (6-5); 3-2 on the road

2017-18 Notable Results: Beat UNK, 57-39; Beat Fort Hays, 62-59; Lost to #6 Central Missouri, 72-63; Lost to #21 Central Oklahoma, 62-60

Players to Watch: 5-8 sophomore guards Reagan Phelan (15.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists) and Alexis McAfee (11.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists)

Team Numbers: 69.9 points per game, + 8.1 scoring margin, + 5.8 rebounding margin, + 0.6 turnover margin, 73% at the line, 6.9 made threes per game
 
Emporia State U. Hornets
2017-18 Record: 13-5 (8-3); 4-3 on the road

2017-18 Notable Results: Beat UNK, 85-64; Beat Washburn, 70-62; Lost at Lindenwood, 93-72; Lost to #6 Central Missouri, 78-61

Players to Watch: 6-0 junior forward Tyra Jones (14.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 blocks) and 5-10 junior wing Emily Miller (12.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists)

Team Numbers: 75.8 points per game, + 6.4 scoring margin, + 8.6 rebounding margin, + 0.2 turnover margin, 69% at the line, 5.7 made threes per game