Kearney, Neb. – The third-seeded Nebraska-Kearney women’s basketball team looks to reach the 2021 MIAA Tournament finals when it battles seventh-seeded Washburn Saturday afternoon in Hays, Kan.
The No. 14/31 Lopers (20-3) face the streaking Ichabods (12-11) at 4 p.m. in Gross Memorial Coliseum. The early game pits the top-seeded Fort Hays State Tigers (21-2) against the fourth-seeded Emporia State Hornets (18-5). The title game is set for Sunday at 2 p.m. with the winner receiving the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Those not in Hays can catch the action via The MIAA Network or on KRVN radio (93.1 FM/106.9 FM).
UNK downed Pittsburg State, 66-50, Thursday at Buckle Court to reach the MIAA tourney semifinals for a second straight season. In 2019-20 the Lopers bested Missouri Western State, 68-62, in the quarters before falling to E-State, 61-52, in games played in Kansas City. This year’s eight-team tourney was moved to campus sites because of the on-going pandemic. 2021 MIAA Tourney
The Lopers and ‘Bods met just once this season and that was way back on November 21 in the Health & Sports Center. UNK posted a 62-52 victory thanks to getting out to a 35-23 halftime leads. WU shot 60% after the break but didn’t get the deficit under seven. Kearney was plus five on the boards, got 29 bench points and led by as many as 19 in the second half. UNK still trails the all-time series by a 28-14 margin but has won three of the last four meetings.
Washburn has won five of six, beating regionally-ranked Emporia, 74-64, to end the regular season and then shocking No. 13/15 Central Missouri, 63-55, Thursday in Warrensburg. The ‘Bods win thanks to the league’s second-ranked scoring defense (57.5) and a plus four rebounding margin.
