Lopers and Tigers Meet Again

Women's Basketball 1/13/2023 1:29:00 PM

Lopers and Tigers Meet Again

Kearney, Neb. – The No. 19/25 Nebraska Kearney women's basketball team renews its rivalry with the Fort Hays State Tigers Saturday afternoon in Gross Memorial Coliseum.

Because UNK (15-3, 8-2) and FHSU (13-5, 8-2) are travel partners, they both had only one game this week. The Tigers visit the Health & Sports Center in late February to close out the regular season.

The Lopers "super senior" class had a nice and tidy 7-3 record at Gross. That includes wins in the NCAA, MIAA and Regional Crossover Tournaments as well as battles with the Tigers. UNK still trails the all-time series by a 60-40 margin.

The game tips at 2 p.m. with fans not in attendance being able to watch via The MIAA Network and listen to The River 93.1/106.9 KRVN FM.

UNK currently ranks No. 1 in Division II in scoring defense (49.6 points per game) with its last seven foes failing to reach 56 points. The Blue Wall limits opponents to 24% three-point shooting, 35% from the field overall and has plus rebounding (6.8) and turnover (3.2) margins.

Hays is coming off an 87-65 home loss to Pittsburg State last Saturday. They also fell at home to No. 11/20 Minnesota State, 65-63, earlier this year. MSU-Mankato is led by former Loper guard Emilee (Gusso) Thiesse and older sister of 'Husker head coach Amy (Gusso) Williams.

A young Tiger squad is paced by 5-11 redshirt sophomore wing Katie Wagner (13.4 points, 7.1 rebounds) and 6-3 redshirt sophomore post Olivia Hollenbeck (12.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 22 blocks). Hays gives up just 56 points per game and has a plus six turnover margin.

Last year the Tigers downed the Lopers, 56-46, in the MIAA Tourney in Kansas City and at Buckle Court, 76-63. UNK took the first matchup in Gross by a 61-56 tally. Point guard Sarah Schmitt (Swisher, Ia.) shot 77% from the field in those games, scoring a total of 29 points, with forwards Shiloh McCool (Pleasant Hill, Ia.) and Elisa Backes (Salina, Kan.) at 11.0 ppg apiece. Hays managed to make 43% of its treys, had a plus three turnover margin and saw Wagner and Hollenbeck average combine for 17.1 ppg.

UNK heads to Emporia State (9-7, 4-6) next Wednesday night. The game was moved up a day due to an arena scheduling issue. The Hornets are on a five-game skid and are at Missouri Southern on Saturday.

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Players Mentioned

#5 Elisa Backes: F; 6' 2"; Fifth Year

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

#3 Sarah Schmitt: G; 5' 8"; Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

#5 Elisa Backes
: 6' 2"; Fifth Year
: F

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

#3 Sarah Schmitt
: 5' 8"; Redshirt Junior
: G

Players Mentioned

#5 Elisa Backes

#25 Shiloh McCool

#3 Sarah Schmitt

Players Mentioned

#5 Elisa Backes

#25 Shiloh McCool

#3 Sarah Schmitt