#26/29 UNK Hosts RSU & NSU to Begin League Play

11/30/2022 9:13:00 AM

Kearney, Neb. – The now 26th/29th ranked Nebraska Kearney women's basketball team begins MIAA play this weekend when Rogers State and Northeastern State come to Buckle Court.

The Lopers (7-1) battle the Hillcats (2-4) Thursday at 5:30 p.m. with the RiverHawks (4-1) visiting Saturday at 2 p.m. Fans not in attendance can watch via The MIAA Network, listen to The River 93.1/106.9 KRVN FM or follow along with live stats.

UNK sports a 4-0 home mark to date and is leading the MIAA in scoring defense at 50.8 points per game as opponents are shooting just 29% from behind the arc and 41% from two-point land. The Lopers also have plus rebounding (8.8) and turnover (3.1) margins.

Individually, six players are between 6.3-10.9 points per game with five grabbing between 3.6-6.0 rebounds nightly. Post Shiloh McCool (Pleasant Hill, Ia.) has made exactly half her shots (26 of 52) to rank ninth in the MIAA in field goal percentage while also being 13th in free throw shooting (74%). Junior guard Trinity Law (Brandon, S.D.) is UNK's top shooter at the line, converting 83% of the time. Finally, forward Elisa Backes (Salina, Kan.) and point guard Sarah Schmitt (Swisher, Ia.) are among the MIAA leaders in blocks per game and assist-to-turnover ratio.

Rogers, 0-6 all-time vs. UNK, is coming off back-to-back home wins against non-D2 competition. They allow just 53.8 points per game and are holding teams to 22% three-point shooting, tops in the conference. Last year, the Lopers slipped by the 'Cats 70-62 in the H&S Center while winning in Claremore by a 61-53 score.

Senior wing Bailey Kliewer (12.8 points, 5.3 rebounds) and senior guard Jordan Lewis (11.5 points, 3.8 rebounds) lead the way. Kliewer had 21 in the home loss to UNK last year with Law going for 23 and 17 points, respectively, in the games.

NSU has a busy week as they beat Washburn, 60-53, Monday night at home and travel to Fort Hays State on Thursday. The 'Hawks, with a 12-person roster, are off to a 4-1 start that includes two D2 wins. They had two non-conference games canceled due to weather.

Six-foot sophomore guard Ashton Hackler (18.4) and sophomore wing Courtney Lee (16.8) pace the offense with Lee (9.2) close to averaging a double double. NSU is scoring 76 points a night thanks to 44% shooting from the field and a 78% mark from the line. UNK is 17-2 all-time against the 'Hawks, taking last year's games by scores of 58-46 and 71-49.

The Lopers got to Missouri Western (5-2) and Northwest Missouri (4-1) next weekend.

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