Kearney, Neb. – The now No. 13/15 Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team aims to stay at the top of the MIAA standings when it travels South this weekend to face Northeastern State and Rogers State.

The Lopers (14-2) are in Tahlequah on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and then head over to Claremore on Saturday at 1:30 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 downed the RiverHawks (5-12) by a 68-56 score while having an easier time against the Hillcats (5-11), 67-40.

UNK and No. 9/14 Fort Hays State are currently tied for second in the MIAA with .845 scheduling points and 14-2 league records. No. 20/22 Central Missouri is now in first with a 15-2 mark and .860 scheduling points. The Jennies picked up a key win on Tuesday with a 79-72 decision at No. 25 Emporia State. UCM visits both Kearney and Hays next week; they host Washburn (7-9) on Saturday.

Northeastern State stopped a four-game losing streak on Tuesday with a 47-44 home win over the WU Ichabods. Now 4-4 in Tahlequah, NSU got 17 points and eight rebounds from senior guard Cenia Hayes. She is at 15.3 points and 6.3 rebounds on the year and went for a team-best 16 points in the loss to the Lopers. NSU led that game after the first quarter, 20-15, but was out scored 21-8 in the third. UNK finished plus 11 on the glass and sunk a season-high 18 free throws. 

Five-nine sophomore Zaria Collins (17.1 points & 6.9 rebounds) leads the 'Hawks who shoot 73% at the line and allow just five threes a night. UNK leads the all-time series, 14-2.

Rogers has lost three of four and is 2-6 at home to date. The 'Cats are led by 5-6 junior guard Samariah Thompson (16.6 points, 4.7 rebounds & 4.5 assists per game). Due to injury she didn't play against the Lopers in December. The Tennessee native has made the second most free throws (78) in the MIAA despite missing two games.

Without Thompson in the lineup UNK got out to a 21-9 first quarter lead and never looked back. The Lopers were plus 10 on the boards and held RSU to 27% shooting from the field. Kearney now leads the all-time series, 3-0.

UNK sank all six threes it attempted in the fourth quarter in last Saturday's 60-40 win over Newman. The Lopers finished the game on a 15-0 run and ended the day with a season-best nine triples. Four players now have at least sunk 10 on the season led by guard Haley Simental (18) and forward Elisa Backes (16). Last year over 32 games Simental had 68 made threes with junior Aspen Jansa at 36.

Inside junior post Brooke Carlson (Elkhorn) has been in double figures in three straight games. That pushes her career point total to 828, most on the Lopers. She had her second double double of the year vs. Newman (13 boards & 11 points) and is now shooting 52% from the field on the season.

Finally, Crofton senior Kelsey Sanger is closing in on 100 games in a Loper uniform (97). The four-year starter would've reached that mark sooner had she not missed eight contests at the end of the 2018-19 season due to injury. The staunch defender is at 5.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game this year while shooting 75% at the line.

Kearney finishes up its 2020-21 home slate next week with UCM (Thursday) and Lincoln (Saturday).