Final Games Before the Postseason

Corbey R. Dorsey

Women's Basketball | 2/24/2021 3:24:00 PM

Kearney, Neb. – The now No. 14/28 Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team hopes to keep the momentum going when it travels to Northwest Missouri State and Missouri Western State this weekend to conclude the 2020-21 regular season.

UNK (17-3) is in position to host an MIAA Tournament first round game next Wednesday (March 3). The top four seeds host with the highest remaining seed after Wednesday's games being the site for the semifinals and finals (March 6-7). In addition, the Lopers are in line to make its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 12 years as they are listed in the most recent Central Region rankings. The regional takes place March 12-15 in Warrensburg, Mo., with the "Selection Show" coming on Sunday, March 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). Thursday's game at Northwest starts at 5:30 p.m. with the season finale Saturday set for 1:30 pm.

The Lopers are 8-1 on the road and have won five of six. Back in January UNK held Northwest (7-13) and Mo West (6-14) to a combined 69 points in a home weekend sweep. Kearney's defense has been among the best in Division II this year, currently at 52.7 points per game on 35.3 percent field goal shooting. Teams also sink a league-low 3.7 triples per game against the "Blue Wall."

However, thanks to a recent offensive surge, UNK is now tied for the MIAA-lead in field goal percentage at 44.2. The Lopers have made at least half of its shots in four of the last seven games, helping them reach at least 75 points on four different occasions. Posts Shiloh McCool (57.0), Brooke Carlson (51.9) and Elisa Backes (50.3) are 1-2-3 in field goal percentage with two starters at 45 percent.

Backes has reached double digits in four straight contests to push her season average to a team-best 13.1 with Carlson reaching 10 points in six of the last seven contests. That moves her average to second on the Lopers (10.2). Next, Backes (20) and Carlson (14) are first and second in blocks with junior wing Klaire Kirsch first in steals (33) and rebounds (182). That rebound total is third best in the MIAA. Finally, Kirsch has logged a team-high 622 minutes.

Northwest is 4-5 in Maryville and is on a three-game losing streak. Prior to that streak they had won three of four. Allowing just 59.5 points per game, the 'Cats are led by freshman Molly Hartnett (14.0) and senior Jaelyn Haggard (9.9). Hartnett is among the busiest free throw shooters in the league (79 of 104) with Haggard having sunk a team-best 49 3's. UNK held Northwest to 19% shooting (12 of 62) in the first meeting to grab a slim 8-7 all-time series lead.

Missouri Western has been streaky as well, having dropped its last three after winning three in a row. They are 4-5 in St. Joe after an 83-75 loss to Central Oklahoma Wednesday night. The Griffs, who play again Thursday vs. Fort Hays State, came into the week second in the MIAA in steals per game (8.8) and was holding the opposition to 28% three-point shooting.

No one is in double digits but seven are between 5.3-8.1 points per game. Sophomore and Division I transfer Brionna Budgetts leads that group, thanks to a team-best 21 made threes. She had five points in the Lopers 59-34 win back in January. UNK held MWSU to 23% (12 of 53) shooting and had a nifty 53-29 advantage on the glass. The Griffs still lead the all-time series, 24-20.

The pairings for the 8-team MIAA Tourney will be released Saturday evening after the completion of all regular season games.

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Players Mentioned

#5 Elisa Backes: G/F; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#45 Brooke Carlson: C; 6' 1"; Sophomore

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

#25 Shiloh McCool: G/F; 5' 11"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#5 Elisa Backes
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: G/F

#45 Brooke Carlson
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: C

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

#25 Shiloh McCool
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: G/F