Kearney, Neb. – The final regular season home games for the No. 12/14 Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team couldn't be any bigger.

UNK (16-2) is fighting Fort Hays State and Central Missouri for the 2020-21 MIAA regular season title. All three teams, plus several others, have hopes of making the NCAA Tournament (Central Regional) as well. A total of six teams from the MIAA and Northern Sun Intercollegiate Tournament (NSIC) will make the NCAA's March 12-15 in Warrensburg, Mo. UCM was picked as the host site last week by the NCAA. The MIAA Tournament, of course, comes first and that'll be on campus sites between March 3-7. 

Those not in attendance this weekend can catch the action via The MIAA Network or on KRVN radio (93.1 FM/106.9 FM). The Lopers host the No 16/19 Jennies (16-2) Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and then "Senior Day" is Saturday when Lincoln (1-17) visits at 2 p.m. Guards Kelsey Sanger (Crofton) and Shelby Megyeri (Green Mountain Falls, Colo.) will be honored after the game.

Earlier this year in Warrensburg UNK claimed a 68-56 victory. It marked the program's first-ever win in Warrensburg in eight tries and is the Jennies only home setback to date (8-1). The Lopers shot 50 percent from the field, were plus 12 on the glass, got out to an 18-13 first quarter lead and held the Jennies to a 3 of 12 effort from behind the arc.

UCM, which hasn't been at the Health & Sports Center since January 2017, has won nine in a row. Senior post Nija Collier (15.2), freshman reserve post Graycen Holden (12.2) and freshman guard Olivia Nelson (10.8) all average in double figures. In the earlier meeting with UNK, Collier limited to 12 minutes due to foul trouble and then she was ejected early in the third quarter with Holden (13) and Nelson (six) combining for 19 points. Finally, the Jennies are 8-1 on the road as they have a plus 8.6 rebounding margin, shoot 76 percent at the line and hold opponents to 59 points nightly.

Lincoln's lone win under first-year head coach Andrea Mize was a 72-46 decision over Northwest Missouri State. They have lost six games by 10 points or less. Five-five sophomore Niyah Jackson (14.7) leads in scoring with 5-3 freshman AJ Bradley at 13.1 points per game thanks to a 110 of 148 effort from the line. Those FT totals lead the MIAA. Next, the Blue Tigers shoot 71 from the line to average 64 points nightly.

UNK won in Jeff City back in January, 68-53. Four Lopers were in double digits including South Dakota junior wing Klaire Kirsch (16 rebounds & 13 points).

The Lopers have found its shooting touch of late, beginning with a 6 of 6 effort from behind the arc in the fourth quarter of a 60-40 win over Newman. Two nights earlier UNK tallied then a season-best 75 points in a win over Central Oklahoma; Kearney is averaging 74.0 points in the last four contests thanks to 50 percent field goal shooting.

Junior reserve forward Elisa Backes (Salina, Kan.) is again the MIAA Player of the Week after having 46 points in just 41 minutes last weekend. She is up to a team-high 12.7 points per game on the the year thanks to a 73% effort from the line and a 51% mark from the field. She's been in double digits in six of the last eight games including games of 20, 21, 28 and 30 points, respectively.  

Next, junior post Brooke Carlson (Elkhorn) has been in double digits in five straight games, the longest such streak by a Loper this season. She is shooting a team-best 53% from the field and is closing in on 1,000-career points (857). Finally, the Lopers nationally-ranked defense is at 51.4 points per game thanks to 24 percent three-point shooting defense and a plus eight rebounding margin.  

Kearney heads to Northwest Missouri (7-10) and Missouri Western State (6-11) next weekend to finish up the regular season. The eight-team MIAA Tourney begins on Wednesday, March 3rd, with the top four seeds hosting first round games.