Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball team returns home this weekend to face the Washburn Ichabods and Emporia State Hornets.

The Lopers (10-5, 4-2), in sole possession of third place in the MIAA standings, face the Ichabods (8-6, 3-2) for the first time in 2019-20. That game tips Thursday at 7:30 p.m. This will be second go-around with the Hornets (9-5, 3-2) which handed UNK a 78-68 setback back on December 5. The rematch is set for Saturday at 4 p.m. Check the men's basketball schedule page for media links.

Biotest Plasma Center is the game sponsor and fans will have a chance to win a "Loper Fear Fan Package" or a "College Care Package". Check UNK Athletic social media channels for more information. 
 
Since the start of last season 72% of UNK's games have been decided by 10 points or less with 15 of those (35%) decided by less than five. The law of averages has swung to the Blue & Gold's side this year as they are 7-3 in 10 point games including a 4-0 mark in five pointers. Last year those numbers were 9-12 (10-point) and 3-8 (5-point). 

To have success in these barn burners, the Lopers are third in the league in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.24), fourth in turnover margin (+2.7), and fifth in the MIAA in field goal percentage (47%), free throws made (215) and attempted (302).

Currently 7-1 at home UNK is being paced by fifth-year senior Morgan Soucie (16.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists per game). He is shooting 51% from the field and has grabbed a team-best 24 offensive boards. Bellevue senior post AJ Jackson (12.6) and junior newcomer and guard Jake Walker (12.5) are the others averaging double digits in points.

Washburn, led by third-year head coach Brett Ballard, is coming off a 73-68 loss to defending national champion Northwest Missouri State. The 'Cats finished on an 11-6 run over the final four minutes to secure another W.

The 'Bods are led by 6-1 junior guard Tyler Geiman (15.4 points, 5.8 rebounds & 6.4 assists per game) and 5-11 sophomore guard Jalen Lewis (13.4 points & 2.1 rebounds per game). The duo have combined for 69 triples and both shoot at least 76% at the line. Finally UNK is 25-18 all-time vs. WU.

The Hornets, led by second-year head coach Craig Doty, has a squad averaging 80.2 points per game. E-State is 8-2 at home but had dropped both of its true road games (Washburn, 80-78; Arkansas Tech, 79-59) to date. Three players are in double figures including 6-2 junior guard Jumah'Ri Turner (15.7). He went for 19 points, five boards and four assists in the win over UNK back in December.

Off the bench that night Emporia got a huge contribution from 6-9, 238 pound true freshman post Mason Thiessen. He made 6 of 7 shots (4 of 4 threes) to score 16 in 29 minutes. He's at 5.6 points on the season with eight made triples.

Emporia leads the MIAA in blocks per game (4.4) and is second in field goal percentage defense (41.1%) and rebounding margin (+6.8). Last season the Lopers won in White Auditorium, 59-53, with the Hornets coming out on top in the H&S Center, 60-56. They still trail the all-time series 23-21.

UNK heads to Northwest Missouri and Missouri Western next weekend, followed by a February 1 road date at Fort Hays State.