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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Double Digit Win Squads Await

UNK WBB
Corbey R. Dorsey

Women's Basketball | 1/12/2022 10:43:00 AM

Kearney, Neb. – A tough road trip awaits the now No. 16/15 Nebraska-Kearney women's basketball team as it heads to Missouri Western State and Northwest Missouri State this weekend.

The Lopers (12-2, 7-1), tied for first place in the MIAA, face the No. 22/RV Griffons (12-1, 6-1) on Thursday night and the Bearcats (11-2, 6-1) Saturday afternoon. Check the women's basketball schedule page for tip times and media links.

The 'Cats are at No. 2/5 Fort Hays State (13-1, 7-1) on Wednesday night in a key MIAA and Central Region game. Northwest is 8-1 in Maryville to date and riding a four-game win streak heading into Gross Memorial Coliseum.

UNK has taken five of the last six meetings with Northwest to lead the all-time series, 9-7. Coming off a 7-15 season, the 'Cats are led by fifth-year senior Mallory McConkey (12.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game) and 2021 MIAA Freshman of the Year Molly Hartnett (10.1 points, 2.5 assists and 2.2 rebounds pg). Both shoot well over 80% at the line with the 'Cats at 74% as a team. They also allow just 53 points a night, best in the MIAA.  

Mo West, led by third-year head coach Candi Whitaker, has a team that's 10-0 at home and leading the MIAA in scoring offense (80.2 ppg), rebounding margin (+9.1), turnover margin (+6.3) and steals per game (10.9). UNK has taken the last four games between the two but three were decided a total of 13 points. The Griffs still lead the all-time series, 24-21.

Posts Corbyn Cunningham (13.1 points & 7.7 rebounds per game) and Connie Clarke (12.6 points, 9.2 rebounds & 2.1 steals pg) and guard Brionna Budgetts (13.0 points and 2.1 steals pg) lead the way. Budgetts has made 95% of her free throws, Clarke has a team-best 12 blocks with Cunningham a 2020 All-MIAA first-team pick.

UNK enters the week second in the league in scoring defense (53.9 ppg), defensive rebounds per game (28.5) and assist-to-turnover radio (1.4) and first in field goal percentage defense (36.4). Individually, point guard Haley Simental is third in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.0) and seventh in minutes (33.0) with post Shiloh McCool seventh in rebounds (8.2 pg). Finally, forward Elisa Backes needs just 40 more points to be the 27th Loper with a 1,000 in a career.

The Lopers start a two-game home stand next Thursday when Pittsburg State comes to Buckle Court.
 
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Players Mentioned

Elisa Backes

#5 Elisa Backes

G/F
6' 1"
Sophomore
Shiloh McCool

#25 Shiloh McCool

G/F
5' 11"
Sophomore
Haley Simental

#10 Haley Simental

G
5' 8"
Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

Elisa Backes

#5 Elisa Backes

6' 1"
Sophomore
G/F
Shiloh McCool

#25 Shiloh McCool

5' 11"
Sophomore
G/F
Haley Simental

#10 Haley Simental

5' 8"
Graduate Student
G