Kearney, Neb. – The push for the 2021 eight-team MIAA men's basketball tournament is in full swing with just a handful of games remaining in the regular season.

Nebraska-Kearney (6-10; .445 scheduling points) has six games left starting with road tilts vs. Northeastern State (20-12; .242) and Rogers State (7-9; .495 points) this weekend. This year's league tourney will be on campus sites on March 4 (first round) and March 6-7 (semifinals & finals). The current seventh/eighth place teams have eight wins and .545 scheduling points. 

UNK is in Tahlequah on Thursday (7:30 p.m.) and Claremore on Saturday (3:30 p.m.). Those not in attendance can catch the action via The MIAA Network or on KRVN radio (93.1 FM/106.9 FM). Back in December the Lopers beat the Riverhawks, 72-66, while falling to the Hillcats, 66-60.

NSU has lost five in a row after a 100-83 setback to Missouri Southern State last Saturday. The 'Hawks are allowing 83 points per game on 48% shooting and also have a minus five rebounding margin.

Six-three senior guard Troy Locke (14.2 points & 4.0 rebounds per game) and 6-7 junior forward Trey Sampson (13.8 points & 6.8 rebounds pg) lead the way. Locke was one of three 'Hawks with 11 points in the loss to the Lopers. UNK got 25 points on five threes from Utah senior Jake Walker to lead that contest most of the way. Kearney now leads the all-time series, 14-4.

Rogers is coming off a 78-68 home win over Emporia State. That stopped a four game-losing streak and pushed its record to 3-5 at home. The 'Cats had four starters in double figures to pick up a win at the Health & Sports Center. They shot 50% from the field and held the Lopers to a 3 of 18 effort from behind the arc. Four average in double digits on the winter, led by six-senior guard Devin Pullum (15.2 points, 2.9 assists and 2.4 rebounds pg). The 'Cats lead the all-time series, 2-1.

Walker, coming off a 26-point effort in a win over Newman, is now UNK's leading scorer in the year (16.4). Including his two-year stop at Utah's Snow College, the sharpshooter is up to 1,270 career points and 245 made threes. Walker has had four 20-point efforts this winter, most on the team, and ranks sixth in the MIAA in threes (38).

UNK remains second in the conference in defending the 3-point shot (32.4 pct.) while being the best at defending without fouling. Loper opponents have currently attempted a league-low 236 free throws (about 15 per game). Finally, Kearney has shot 85% at the line in its last six games.

Central Missouri (6-11; .437) and Lincoln (8-8, .545) come to town next weekend