Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team hopes to improve to 10-1 at home as it faces Washburn Thursday night and No. 16/18 Emporia State on Thursday afternoon.

The Lopers (15-2 4-2), in a four-way tie for fourth in the league standings, face the Ichabods (8-6, 2-3) at 5:30 p.m. Thursday with the rematch against the Hornets (12-2, 5-0) set for Saturday at 2 p.m. Check the women'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. 

Through 17 games UNK is +9.7 on the glass, has a +4.8 turnover margin, and is shooting a solid 47% from the field. The Lopers lead the MIAA in scoring margin (+27.8), scoring offense (81.6), field goal percentage defense (35%), and seven other categories as well. 

A balanced attack has nine players averaging between 6.1-12.1 points per game with graduate transfer Haley Simental (Pueblo West, Colo.) leading the way. From her point guard spot she is shooting 51% from the field, 46% from the triple line, 77% at the charity stripe and handing out an even 3.0 assists a night.

Doing the dirty work is sophomore wing Klaire Kirsch (Rapid City, S.D.) who ranks seventh in the MIAA rebounding (7.8) despite standing 5-11. She has a team-best 28 offensive caroms while also leading the club in steals (33/1.9 per game), ranking second in assists (42) and having six blocks. Offensively Kirsch is one of eight Lopers with a double digit made three total (16).

Washburn, 28-12 all-time vs. UNK, is 1-3 on the road this winter. Thanks to a junior varsity program, they have used 18 different players with 17 of them having scored. A balanced lineup includes 5-6 senior guard Regan Phelan (13.4 points & 5.3 assists per game) and 5-9 junior wing Hunter Bentley (12.9 points & 7.4 rebounds per game). Last year WU beat UNK on a buzzer beater in overtime, 62-60, in Topeka.

The first place Hornets, a pressing outfit on a nine-game win streak, come in possibly minus senior star Jessica Wayne (13.4 points, 5.5 steals, 5.0 rebounds per game). She has missed the last five dates due to injury but may try and suit up again soon. Freshman Tre'Zure Jobe (17.7 points, 3.2 assists, 2.7 steals & 2.4 rebounds per game) is now leading the way.

Back in December UNK had one day to prep for a road game at Emporia while it was the first contest of the week for the Hornets. E-State feasted on 31 turnovers and had 22-point first and fourth quarters as part of a 70-49 win. Jobe amassed 18 points, five steals and three assists with Wayne at 14 points, six steals and five rebounds. They now lead the all-time series 35-12.

The Lopers start a three-game road trip next Thursday at Northwest Missouri State.