Kearney, Neb. – The now No. 22/25 Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team is in Missouri this weekend to take on Lincoln and No. 16/24 Central Missouri.
 
These are the only games with the Blue Tigers (3-19, 0-13) and Jennies (18-4, 2-1) this year. Check the Loper schedule page for tip times and media links. Note the new start time for Saturday.
 
Riding a 10-game winning streak, the longest in the program in 11 years, UNK (22-2, 11-2) entered the WBCA Top 25 this week (tied for 25th). They were already in the D2 Sports Information Directors Top 25, now up to 22nd. Next week the all-important NCAA region rankings are released; these determine the 64-team NCAA field in March and don't take the national polls into consideration.
 
Currently 9-0 in games decided by 10 points or less UNK has outscored its competition by 13 points a night during the winning streak. They also have a plus 4.0 rebounding margin during this stretch while holding opponents to a frigid 25% (50 of 202) from the three point line.

Lincoln is riding an 11-game losing streak after a 59-45 setback last Saturday in Maryville. LU has won three times in Jefferson City. Averaging 60.0 points per game and have a plus 2.8 rebounding margin, the Blue Tigers shoot 59% at the line and average 18 turnovers nightly. 

Trailing the all-time series with UNK by a 7-2 margin, Lincoln is paced by 5-6 senior guard Kaloni Pryear (16.0 points & 4.6 rebounds pg) and 5-11 Nigerian and JUCO transfer Vivian Chigbu (11.0 points & 8.0 rebounds pg). Pryear shoots 46% from the field with Chigbu having a team-best 12 blocks and ranking second in the MIAA in offensive rebounds (76).
 
Central Missouri had a 15-game winning streak snapped last Saturday in St. Joseph, 67-57. They are 10-0 at home and host Fort Hays Thursday. Beginning the year 3-3, the Jennies are second in the league in scoring defense (57.2) behind the Lopers while being first in rebounding margin (+8.4). The roster features seven six-footers, five of whom play regularly. The tall team also swats 4.4 shots a night, second highest in the MIAA.
 
Eight average at least 15 minutes per game with 6-0 seniors wings Megan Skaggs (16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals pg) and Morgan Fleming (14.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists pg) the leaders. Skaggs has a team-best 36 made 3's with Fleming the leader in assists and free throw makes and attempts. Finally 6-0 JUCO transfer Nija Collier (14.1 points & 9.5 rebounds pg) is close to a double double on the year.
 
UNK fell 64-49 in Warrensburg last year to trail the all-time series 7-1. UCM won thanks to a 19-8 fourth quarter, a plus nine rebounding margin and four starters in double figures.

Northeastern State and Rogers State come to K-Town next week for the final home games of the 2019-20 season.