Kearney, Neb. – The now fourth-ranked Nebraska-Kearney basketball team take its unblemished record on the road this weekend to face Pittsburg State and Missouri Southern State.

These will be the only meetings with the Gorillas (8-3) and Lions (4-6) this winter. In the current MIAA standings UNK is first (.891), Pitt fourth (.682) and MSSU eighth (.411). The MIAA is using a points index, not league record, to determine placing this season.

Those not in attendance can catch the action via The MIAA Network or on KRVN radio (93.1 FM/106.9 FM). Live stats are available as well. 

Pitt, who is 28-12 all-time vs. the Lopers, is riding a seven-game win streak. Five of those wins have come by 10 points or less with the Gorillas now 4-1 at home. A 15-player roster features seven freshmen and one sophomore.

Three score in double figures including junior starters Tristan Gegg (17.0) and Kaylee DaMitz (15.9). Gegg, at 5-7, makes 88% of her free throws and has sunk a team-best 25 3's with the 5-5 DaMitz first in assists (58). She also shoots 94% at the line; Pitt ranks first in the MIAA in team free throw percentage (82.6).

Last year Pitt won 88-74 in the Health & Sports Center with DaMitz tallying a career-best 33 points. She was 12 of 14 at the line and 10 of 14 from the field. The Gorillas took control by outscoring the Lopers 27-14 in the second quarter.

MSSU has lost three in a row heading into a Thursday night game with Fort Hays State. The Lions are 3-0 in Joplin and have a plus 2.1 rebounding margin. Having another three-game losing streak and a four-game win streak, Mo Southern is led by 5-10 senior wing Carley Turnbull. She is at 15.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 75% at the line. Next, 6-3 sophomore post Madi Stokes is close to averaging a double double (11.6 rebounds & 9.4 points per game). She also has an MIAA-best 24 blocks.

UNK handed MSSU a 65-58 setback last year in Kearney. The Lopers still trail the all-time series, 20-17.

The only 10-0 team in NCAA Division II, Kearney started the week second in the nation in scoring defense (47.0 points per game), fourth in three-point percentage defense (19.0), fifth in field goal percentage defense (31.1) and 13th in rebounding margin (plus 9.5). UNK held its last two opponents to a combined 69 points while having at least a plus 10 rebounding margin in each of the last six games.

A deep and talented bench continues to pay dividends as junior forward Elisa Backes (Salina, Kan.) is second on the team in scoring (8.4), first in blocks (10), third in rebounds (5.1) and free throw attempts (38). She and redshirt sophomore Shiloh McCool (Pleasant Hill, Ia.) have each had four double digit efforts with guards Trinity Law (Brandon, S.D.) and Aspen Jansa (Wahoo) having six threes apiece. Eight different Lopers have hit a trey to date with no one having more than 14.

The Loper starting lineup, which has remain unchanged for the past 42 games, has seen junior post Brooke Carlson (Elkhorn) average 8.6 rebounds over the last three games. She also leads the team in scoring at 9.1 a night.

UNK battles Fort Hays State twice next week, hosting the Tigers on Tuesday in a makeup game and then traveling to Kansas on Saturday.