Kearney, Neb – The Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team faces Central Oklahoma and Northeastern State at home this weekend before heading back out on the road early next week.

The Lopers (8-5, 1-3), who'll play at UCO and NSU at the end of next month, are 20-4 at home since the beginning of last season. Check the women's basketball schedule page for tip times and media links.

UNK currently is 31st out of 302 Division II schools in scoring defense, allowing just 57.2 points a night. The Lopers also rank in the MIAA top five in four other defensive categories including made threes allowed per game (5.5). While defending national champ Central Missouri sunk 10 treys last Saturday, five Loper other Loper opponents combined to make just 13 triples. Overall, teams are 71/240 from behind the arc with UNK almost having similar numbers (74/236) on the offensive end. 

Individually, Elkhorn freshman post Brooke Carlson had a season-best 18 points last Thursday in a win at Southwest Baptist and followed that up with 16 points at UCM. She is now among the team leaders in scoring (9.8), field goal pct. (56.6), free throw pct. (75.6), assists (21) and blocks (10).  Finally, Crofton sophomore Kelsey Sanger has reached double digits in four straight games. Kearney's leading scorer at 10.7 a night, she also ranks first on the team in minutes (29.1), assists (37) and steals (21).

The Lopers travel to Washburn next Wednesday and Emporia State on Sunday. The weird scheduling quirk has to do with an arena issue at Emporia. 
 

Central Oklahoma Bronchos (Edmond, Okla.)
2018-19 Record: 11-3 (2-2)

Notable Results: Lost to NW Missouri, 51-47, Lost to East Central, 75-56, Beat Augustana, 59-55, Beat East Central, 59-55

Notable MIAA Team Stat Ranks: 3rd in three point pct. (36.0) and threes made pg (8.1)

Players to Watch: #34 Micayla Haynes (Jr., G, 5-5, 12.4 points & 2.8 rebounds per game), #24 Ireon Smith (Jr., F, 6-0, 11.0 points, 8.0 points & 1.6 blocks pg), #21 Shatoya Bryson (Jr., G, 5-8, 10.9 points, 4.1 rebounds & 3.1 assists pg)
 
Northeastern State RiverHawks (Tahlequah, Okla.)
2018-19 Record: 3-10 (0-4)

Notable Results: Lost to Missouri Western, 63-49; Lost to NW Missouri, 62-59; Beat Azusa Pacific, 63-57

Notable MIAA Team Stat Ranks: 2nd in free throw pct. (76.9), 4th in blocks per game (3.8)

Players to Watch: #14 Cenia Hayes (So., G, 5-9, 12.9 points, 5.3 rebounds & 2.1 assists per game), #20 Cailyn Long (Sr., F, 6-0, 12.2 points & 2.8 rebounds pg), #23 Bailee Eldred (So., G, 5-10, 11.4 points & 7.5 rebounds pg)