First Games with the 'Chos and Jets

Women's Basketball 2/5/2020 8:07:00 PM

First Games with the 'Chos and Jets

Kearney, Neb. – The now No. 23/30 Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team puts an eight-game win streak on the line when it hosts Central Oklahoma Thursday night in the Health & Sports Center.

The Lopers (20-2, 9-2), currently in second place in the MIAA, trail the all-time series with the Bronchos (15-6, 9-4) by an 8-7 margin. Last year the two teams split the series, each winning at home. UNK visits Edmond later this month.

Thursday's game tips at 5:30 p.m. with league newcomer Newman (9-13, 4-9) visiting Saturday at two. Check the Loper schedule page for media links.

Eight is a special number for UNK at the moment as its 8-0 in games decided by 10 points or less. That includes a 4-0 mark in five pointers; last year the Lopers fell at UCO 93-92 in overtime.

Kearney trailed that game by 13 points with less than five minutes to go but forced extra time thanks to back-to-back threes by South Dakota sophomore Klaire Kirsch. However the 'Chos won thanks to 25 points by current senior guard Shatoya Bryson (8.4 ppg) and 14 made triples. Earlier in the winter UNK blasted UCO 74-58 on Buckle Court as they had four score in double figures.

This 'Chos squad, besides Bryson, featured 6-3 Division I transfer Kelsey Johnson (13.1 points & 6.8 rebounds pg) and 2019 All-MIAA pick Micayla Hayes (12.1 ppg). UCO is a solid 7-2 on the road and posts a plus 6.7 turnover margin.

Former Heartland Conference member Newman is on a four-game losing streak after falling at Northwest Missouri State, 70-67, and Missouri Western State, 70-59, last week. They are 3-6 away from Wichita.

Known for its zone defense, Newman allows just 61. points per game as they hold opponents to 39% shooting. Only Emporia State (93) and Pittsburg State (81) have tallied more than 77 points against NU. Five-eight senior guard Kaitlyn Potter leads the way as she is the lone Jet in double figures (16.6). She has 70 made threes, tied for seventh most in D2, and shoots 89% at the line. UNK leads the all-time series by a 2-0 margin.

Second in the MIAA in three pointers made (school-record 200) and threes made per game (9.1) and leading in three point percentage (36.9), UNK has set a new school standard thanks to balance. Twelve of the 13 players on the active roster have made a shot from behind the arc with eight having sunk at least 10. Colorado grad transfer and point guard Haley Simental (47/46.5 pct.) and Iowa freshman Madison Dreckman (22/44.9 pct.) are the most accurate to date with Wahoo sophomore Aspen Jansa (27/42.9 pct.) close behind.

Defensively the Lopers hold its opponents to 25% shooting from the triple line. Over the last three games that number is even lower (20%; 9 of 45). On the year only Cameron (47.1 pct./8 of 17) has shot higher than 39% against UNK.

Kearney heads to Lincoln and Central Missouri next weekend. Those are the only meetings with the Blue Tigers and nationally-ranked Jennies.

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Players Mentioned

#12 Aspen Jansa: G; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#20 Klaire Kirsch: G/F; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#10 Haley Simental: G; 5' 8"; Graduate Student

#30 Madison Dreckman: F; 6' 1"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#12 Aspen Jansa
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: G

#20 Klaire Kirsch
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: G/F

#10 Haley Simental
: 5' 8"; Graduate Student
: G

#30 Madison Dreckman
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: F