Loper Women Snag 10th Seed At MIAA Tournament

 The Nebraska Kearney women's basketball team is the 10th seed in the 2026 MIAA Tournament and will play seventh-seed Missouri Western Wednesday at 2:15 p.m. in Kansas City. ​

The Lopers (15-15, 8-11) entered the final day of the season, needing some help to qualify for the 10-team event. UNK got that early on when Arkansas-Ft. Smith (5-23, 4-15) rallied past Rogers State (10-18, 7-12) in overtime, 72-61. RSU held a slim lead throughout but missed four late free throws in regulation and a shot at the buzzer. The rest of the day didn't go the Lopers' way, so the Lions needed to beat the Hillcats for UNK to continue its season.

Missouri Western (9-10, 13-15) rallied late in regulation to have a wild double overtime win today at Newman, 94-88. The Griffons have now won five in a row and seven of eight. During the regular season, MWSU beat UNK in St. Joe, 86-69, and lost at Buckle Court, 84-76. They are 3-1 vs. the Lopers in the MIAA Tournament.

The UNK/MWSU winner advances to Thursday to play Fort Hays State (2:15 p.m.). The eighth-ranked Tigers are 24-4 (15-4) but have dropped two of their last three games. That includes a setback to the Blue & Gold this past Thursday. 

The Lopers are 8-11 all-time in the MAA's, winning the 2021 eight-team event in Hays, Kan.