University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

MIAA Schedule Starts in Claremore & Tahlequah

Todd Gottula

Women's Basketball | 11/29/2023 3:33:00 PM

Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney women's basketball team begins MIAA play this weekend with games at Rogers State and Northeastern State.

These are the only contests against the Hillcats (4-1) and RiverHawks (3-2) this year. The games, set for Thursday at 5:30 p.m. (RSU) and Saturday (NSU) at 1:30 p.m., will be available on The MIAA Network. Due to the NCAA Volleyball Tournament, there'll be no UNK radio coverage, but Rogers will have a broadcast.

Rogers and UNK rank 1-2 in the MIAA both scoring offense and scoring defense with the Lopers also first in rebounding margin (+18.3) and opponent FG pct. (32.0). Meanwhile, the 'Cats are tops in turnover margin (+9.0) and steals (13.4).

First-year head coach Heather Davis, formerly an assistant at UCO, took over a 5-23 squad and promptly beat Minnesota State-Moorhead, 84-74, in her debut. Former UCO starting post Alayzha Knapp (23.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, six blocks) leads the way with two more 6-2 posts, Kylee Day (11.0 points) and Trinity Jackson (8.6 points, 6.8 rebounds), in the lane as well. Besides the win over Moorhead, RSU's other D2 game was a 68-59 loss to Northern State. UNK is 7-0 all-time against the 'Cats.

Northeastern is led by a first-year head coach as well in Keith Ferguson, formerly of Bethany (Kan.) College. His team, who went 6-20 last winter, is 1-2 vs. D2 foes to date with Fort Hays State (4-0) the opponent Thursday night.

Veteran forward Courtney Lee (10.6 points, 5.2 rebounds) is back with grad transfer Halie Jones (13.2) leading in scoring. She is a 5-10 guard who previously was at D1 Texas-Rio Grande Valley. UNK has won eight straight over the RiverHawks to lead the all-time series by an 18-2 margin.

UNK is 3-0 vs. D2 opponents with forward Shiloh McCool (Pleasant Hill, Ia.), not surprisingly, leading the way. She is at 19.0 points and 11.3 rebounds in those games while making 49% of her shots. Next, wing Meg Burns (64%) and Bailee Sobczak (54%) have been efficient vs. D2 foes with Trinity Law (11.0) joining this trio in double figures. Finally, point guard Jillian Aschoff (Lincoln Pius) has had a 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

The Lopers host No. 23 Missouri Western (4-1) and Northwest Missouri (5-0) next weekend at Buckle Court.

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Players Mentioned

#22 Jillian Aschoff: G; 5' 7"; Redshirt Freshman

#33 Meg Burns: G/W; 5' 11"; Redshirt Sophomore

#23 Trinity Law: G; 5' 9"; Junior

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

#44 Bailee Sobczak: F; 6' 1"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#22 Jillian Aschoff
: 5' 7"; Redshirt Freshman
: G

#33 Meg Burns
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Sophomore
: G/W

#23 Trinity Law
: 5' 9"; Junior
: G

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

#44 Bailee Sobczak
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: F