University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

#26/30 UNK Looks to End Semester on Winning Note

Corbey R. Dorsey

Women's Basketball | 12/15/2022 12:01:00 PM

Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney women's basketball team looks to close out the fall semester on a three-game win streak when it hosts Newman and Central Oklahoma this weekend at Buckle Court.

Due to Winter Commencement, the games will be played Friday night (5 p.m.) vs. NU and Sunday afternoon (2 p.m.) against UCO. Fans not in attendance can watch via The MIAA Network and listen to The River 93.1/106.9 KRVN FM.

The Lopers (10-2, 3-1) are among those "receiving votes" in both the WBCA poll (26th) and the Division II Sports Information Directors Association rankings (30th). Central Missouri and Fort Hays State lead the MIAA with 4-0 marks.

Newman (4-5, 1-3) is on a three-game skid and is 1-2 away from Wichita. Co-head coaches Drew Johnson and Nicole Ohlde-Johnson have a 16-player roster that includes just five upperclassmen.

Veteran six-footer Britney Ho (18.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists per game) leads the way as she shoots 52% from the field and 72% at the line. The Wichita native began her career at Northeastern State. Next, the Jets average 68 points a night and have minus rebounding (1.2) and turnover (1.7) margins. Finally, UNK is 7-1 all-time vs. NU.

First-year head coach Emma Andrews, formerly at D2 Cameron (Okla.), leads a UCO team that tallies a healthy 76 points per game. The 'Chos have dropped four of its last five games and are 1-1 on the road to date.

Four average in double digits led by 6-2 forward Alayzha Knapp (15.8) and 5-8 guard Karly Wadsworth (14.4). Wadsworth makes 94% of her freebies with Knapp tallying 16 points in last year's home win over UNK. The Lopers have a slim 11-10 series lead over UCO.

The Blue & Gold currently rank third nationally in scoring defense (50.7), trailing only Assumption from Massachusetts (47.8) and Tusculum of Tennessee (48.4). Opponents are shooting just 37% from the field, 29% from behind the arc and average 16 turnovers.

Offensively, UNK ranks third in the MIAA in field goal percentage (44.4) with forwards/posts Lexi Moes (60.9), Maegan Holt (58.3), Brooke Carlson (53.4) and Shiloh McCool (52.3) the leaders. McCool also ranks first the team in free throws made (38) and attempted (50) and offensive rebounds (24). Not surprisingly, the Lopers have a plus 7.3 rebounding margin, third-best in the conference.

The Division II moratorium – no practices or games – runs from Dec. 20-26 this year. The team will reconvene on the 27th to prepare for road games at Lincoln (Dec. 31) and UCM (Jan. 2).

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Players Mentioned

#45 Brooke Carlson: C; 6' 1"; Fifth Year

#15 Maegan Holt: F; 6' 0"; Fifth Year

#25 Shiloh McCool: F; 5' 11"; Redshirt Junior

#35 Lexi Moes: G/F; 5' 10"; Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

#45 Brooke Carlson
: 6' 1"; Fifth Year
: C

#15 Maegan Holt
: 6' 0"; Fifth Year
: F

#25 Shiloh McCool
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Junior
: F

#35 Lexi Moes
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Junior
: G/F