Sandhills/Thedford 49 vs Arthur County 21

Sedgwick County, CO 57 @ Garden County 25

Hitchcock County 52 vs Maywood-Hayes Center 49

Sedgwick County, CO 58 @ Garden County 57

<h2>Girls</h2>Broken Bow 51 @ Minden 40Gothenburg 78 @ Cozad 19Holyoke, CO 53 @ Perkins County 49Sandhills/Thedford 49 vs Arthur County 21Sedgwick County, CO 57 @ Garden County 25<h2>Boys</h2>Cozad 83 vs Holdrege 51Gothenburg 58 vs Broken Bow 47Hitchcock County 52 vs Maywood-Hayes Center 49Maxwell 60 vs Sutherland 35McCook 74 Vs Minden 64Medicine Valley 58 vs Arapahoe 17Paxton 51 vs Wauneta-Palisade 27Perkins County 62 vs Holyoke, CO 36Sedgwick County, CO 58 @ Garden County 57Wallace 58 vs Dundy County Stratton 50

Area NSAA Basketball results from 1-27

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769460964171.jpeg" alt="Boys" />
 <figcaption>Boys</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769460981690.jpeg" alt="Girls" />
 <figcaption>Girls</figcaption>
 </figure>

Western Conference Basketball Tournament brackets

NPHS Basketball - McCook Vs. North Platte

On today's episode of Knight's Weekly, Paxton sat down with Jacob Brandl, Head Coach of the North Platte Community College Men's Basketball team, to discuss a successful three-game homestand against Region 9 South opponents.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655346441244.png" alt="<a href="https://www.npkubota.com/">Post Podcast Sponsored By North Platte Kubota</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.npkubota.com/">Post Podcast Sponsored By North Platte Kubota</a></figcaption>
 </figure>On today's episode of Knight's Weekly, Paxton sat down with Jacob Brandl, Head Coach of the North Platte Community College Men's Basketball team, to discuss a successful three-game homestand against Region 9 South opponents.&nbsp;<div><iframe title="🎙️ Knight's Weekly #13 2026 featuring North Platte Community College Men's Basketball Coach Jacob Brandl" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=hfibm-1a28a1f-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Times%20New%20Roman&skin=654771&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=1b1b1b" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

🎙️ Knight's Weekly #13 2026 featuring North Platte Community College Men's Basketball Coach Jacob Brandl

North Platte, Neb. -&nbsp;North Platte jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, cruising to a 102-71 victory over Southeast Community College on Wednesday night for its fifth consecutive win.

Justus Michael paced the Knights with 19 points, while John Sims IV orchestrated the offense, handing out seven assists in the win.

“Thought guys were really locked in from start to finish tonight,”&nbsp;said head coach Jacob Brandl. “Offensively one of the most balanced games we’ve had all year, lot of guys played really well.”&nbsp;

The Knights set the tone early, ripping off a 16-4 run capped by three consecutive three-pointers from Brady Kennison. Southeast responded to trim the deficit to eight, but North Platte quickly reasserted control with a dominant 17-2 surge, building a commanding 23-point advantage. The Knights maintained their momentum through the remainder of the half, taking a 50-29 lead into the break.

The second half remained competitive, with the margin at 23 points with 3:43 remaining. North Platte closed the game with a 13-5 run to seal the victory.

“We have a big test on Saturday against a very good and dangerous Lamar team on the road.” Brandl said.

North Platte (12–7) continues Region 9 South play on Saturday against the Runnin’ Lopes of Lamar Community College. Tipoff set for 4 p.m. in Lamar, Colo.

Story by NPCC Athletic CommunicationNorth Platte, Neb. -&nbsp;North Platte jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, cruising to a 102-71 victory over Southeast Community College on Wednesday night for its fifth consecutive win.Justus Michael paced the Knights with 19 points, while John Sims IV orchestrated the offense, handing out seven assists in the win.“Thought guys were really locked in from start to finish tonight,”&nbsp;said head coach Jacob Brandl. “Offensively one of the most balanced games we’ve had all year, lot of guys played really well.”&nbsp;The Knights set the tone early, ripping off a 16-4 run capped by three consecutive three-pointers from Brady Kennison. Southeast responded to trim the deficit to eight, but North Platte quickly reasserted control with a dominant 17-2 surge, building a commanding 23-point advantage. The Knights maintained their momentum through the remainder of the half, taking a 50-29 lead into the break.The second half remained competitive, with the margin at 23 points with 3:43 remaining. North Platte closed the game with a 13-5 run to seal the victory.“We have a big test on Saturday against a very good and dangerous Lamar team on the road.” Brandl said.North Platte (12–7) continues Region 9 South play on Saturday against the Runnin’ Lopes of Lamar Community College. Tipoff set for 4 p.m. in Lamar, Colo.

Knights cruise past Bobcats at home

Story by NPCC Athletic Communication

North Platte, Neb. - The North Platte women’s basketball team used a strong second half surge to secure the 68-57 victory over Southeast Community College on Wednesday night.

Aliyah Herron led the Knights with a double-double, finishing with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore Dezirae Gonzales added 11 points, while Zaily Mazarin was dominant on the boards, pulling down 12 rebounds.

“Proud of our grit and toughness tonight against a well-coached Southeast team,” head coach Jeff Thurman said. “We found a way to win, and we did it on the defensive end.”

The contest was tightly contested early, with Southeast holding an 8-6 edge midway through the first quarter. A putback by Mazarin with 3:59 remaining sparked a 7-0 run to close the period, giving North Platte a five-point advantage.

The second quarter remained an even battle. Southeast tied the game at 21-21, and neither team was willing to give ground. Mazarin scored late to knot the game at 27-27 heading into halftime.

Southeast came out strong in the third quarter, opening on a 7-2 run to regain the lead. The Knights found their rhythm, while going on an 11-0 run to take an eight-point lead into the final period.

North Platte continued to build momentum in the fourth quarter, extending the lead to eleven points with two minutes remaining. Southeast attempted a late push, but the Knights stayed composed down the stretch to secure the win.

“We made the necessary plays on the offensive end in the fourth quarter,” Thurman said. “Now we need to move on and get prepared against a very good Lamar team.”

North Platte (5-13) returns to Region 9 play on Saturday against Lamar Community College. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. in Lamar, Colo. &nbsp;

Story by NPCC Athletic CommunicationNorth Platte, Neb. - The North Platte women’s basketball team used a strong second half surge to secure the 68-57 victory over Southeast Community College on Wednesday night.Aliyah Herron led the Knights with a double-double, finishing with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore Dezirae Gonzales added 11 points, while Zaily Mazarin was dominant on the boards, pulling down 12 rebounds.“Proud of our grit and toughness tonight against a well-coached Southeast team,” head coach Jeff Thurman said. “We found a way to win, and we did it on the defensive end.”The contest was tightly contested early, with Southeast holding an 8-6 edge midway through the first quarter. A putback by Mazarin with 3:59 remaining sparked a 7-0 run to close the period, giving North Platte a five-point advantage.The second quarter remained an even battle. Southeast tied the game at 21-21, and neither team was willing to give ground. Mazarin scored late to knot the game at 27-27 heading into halftime.Southeast came out strong in the third quarter, opening on a 7-2 run to regain the lead. The Knights found their rhythm, while going on an 11-0 run to take an eight-point lead into the final period.North Platte continued to build momentum in the fourth quarter, extending the lead to eleven points with two minutes remaining. Southeast attempted a late push, but the Knights stayed composed down the stretch to secure the win.“We made the necessary plays on the offensive end in the fourth quarter,” Thurman said. “Now we need to move on and get prepared against a very good Lamar team.”North Platte (5-13) returns to Region 9 play on Saturday against Lamar Community College. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. in Lamar, Colo. &nbsp;

Knights rally in the second half to defeat Bobcats

On today's episode of Knight's Weekly, Paxton sat down with Jeff Thurman, Head Coach of the North Platte Community College Women's Basketball team, and discussed an the first back-to-back of 2026 and what it meant for team to see the hard work starting to pay off.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655346441244.png" alt="<a href="https://www.npkubota.com/">Post Podcast Sponsored By North Platte Kubota</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.npkubota.com/">Post Podcast Sponsored By North Platte Kubota</a></figcaption>
 </figure>On today's episode of Knight's Weekly, Paxton sat down with Jeff Thurman, Head Coach of the North Platte Community College Women's Basketball team, and discussed an the first back-to-back of 2026 and what it meant for team to see the hard work starting to pay off.<div><iframe title="🎙️ Knight's Weekly #9 2025 featuring North Platte Community College Women's Basketball Coach Jeff Thurman" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=vhrri-1a25905-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Times%20New%20Roman&skin=654771&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=1b1b1b" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

🎙️ Knight's Weekly #9 2025 featuring North Platte Community College Women's Basketball Coach Jeff Thurman

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769010485880.png" alt="SWC Basketball Brackets - Girls " />
 <figcaption>SWC Basketball Brackets - Girls </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/1/1769010507513.png" alt="SWC Basketball Brackets - Boys" />
 <figcaption>SWC Basketball Brackets - Boys</figcaption>
 </figure>

2026 Southwest Conference Basketball Tournament bracket

Arcadia/Loup City 46 vs South Loup (Callaway/Arnold) 31

Hershey 42 vs North Platte St. Patrick's 15

Sandhills/Thedford 63 @ Sandhills Valley 37

South Loup (Callaway/Arnold) 37 @ Arcadia/Loup City 48

<h2>Girls</h2>Amherst 45 @ Cozad 24Arcadia/Loup City 46 vs South Loup (Callaway/Arnold) 31Brady 54 @ Maxwell 45Cambridge 56 @ Wauneta-Palisade 55Dundy County Stratton 73 @ Wallace 24Garden County 57 vs Creek Valley 10Hershey 42 vs North Platte St. Patrick's 15Maywood-Hayes Center 67 vs Bertrand 27Mitchell 48 vs Perkins County 45Northwest 54 @ North Platte 27Ogallala 60 @ Scottsbluff 53Paxton 48 @ Hitchcock County 42Shelton 43 vs Southern Valley 21Sutherland 56 vs Medicine Valley 44Valentine 49 vs Chase County 32<h2>Boys</h2>Bertrand 57 @ Maywood-Hayes Center 53Bridgeport 61 vs Perkins County 28Cozad 62 vs Amherst 39Dundy County Stratton 37 @ Wallace 34Maxwell 64 vs Brady 50McCook 86 @ Lexington 47Medicine Valley 53 @ Sutherland 32Northwest 59 @ North Platte 35Ogallala 74 @ Scottsbluff 62Paxton 50 @ Hitchcock County 49Sandhills/Thedford 63 @ Sandhills Valley 37Shelton 66 vs Southern Valley 52South Loup (Callaway/Arnold) 37 @ Arcadia/Loup City 48Valentine 67 vs Chase County 54

Area NSAA Basketball results from 1-21

NPHS Basketball - Grand Island Northwest Vs. North Platte

Story by NU Athletic Communication

Former Nebraska track and field student-athlete Micaylon Moore received a prestigious NCAA Impact Award on Wednesday night at the NCAA Convention in National Harbor, Maryland.&nbsp;

Formerly known as the Today's Top 10 Award, the NCAA Impact Award recognizes one exceptional male and female student-athlete from each NCAA division. It honors seniors who have achieved a high level of athletic excellence, academic success, and service to their communities. The award, selected by the NCAA Awards Committee, celebrates student-athletes for their overall impact and contributions.&nbsp;

"Micaylon has been an exemplary student-athlete and an absolute joy to have as a leader, not just in our program but at our university and in our community," Head Coach Justin St. Clair said. "This award reflects the hard work and integrity Micaylon displays in everything he does, and all of us in the Nebraska Track and Field program are so proud of him."&nbsp;

“The NCAA Impact Award honors the best of the best among collegiate student-athletes,” Nebraska Director of Athletics Troy Dannen said. “Micaylon Moore embodies everything this award represents and has been an exceptional student-athlete during his time as a Husker.&nbsp; We are proud that Nebraska continues to lead the nation in the number of recipients of this prestigious award, and Micaylon is an outstanding addition to our elite group of honorees.”

A native of Fort Collins, Colo., Moore won three U.S. Track &amp; Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-America honors in the triple jump, including two first-team selections, and he finished second at the 2025 NCAA Indoor Championships to finish his Husker career. Moore was the 2024 Big Ten Indoor champion in the triple jump and helped lead the Husker men to the 2023 and 2024 Big Ten Outdoor team titles. Moore earned the Big Ten Medal of Honor and was named Nebraska’s Most Outstanding Male Student-Athlete in 2025.&nbsp;

Academically, Moore earned the Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award and was a semifinalist for the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar of the Year award. He received multiple College Sports Communicators Academic All-America honors, including first-team recognition in 2025. Beyond the track, he co-founded Husker Healers for student-athletes interested in health care careers, and the Black Student-Athlete Association. He served six years on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and volunteered at over 200 community events.

Nebraska now has a nation-leading 19 recipients of the NCAA Impact (Today's Top 10) Award. Moore is the first Nebraska track and field athlete to receive the honor.&nbsp;

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationFormer Nebraska track and field student-athlete Micaylon Moore received a prestigious NCAA Impact Award on Wednesday night at the NCAA Convention in National Harbor, Maryland.&nbsp;Formerly known as the Today's Top 10 Award, the NCAA Impact Award recognizes one exceptional male and female student-athlete from each NCAA division. It honors seniors who have achieved a high level of athletic excellence, academic success, and service to their communities. The award, selected by the NCAA Awards Committee, celebrates student-athletes for their overall impact and contributions.&nbsp;"Micaylon has been an exemplary student-athlete and an absolute joy to have as a leader, not just in our program but at our university and in our community," Head Coach Justin St. Clair said. "This award reflects the hard work and integrity Micaylon displays in everything he does, and all of us in the Nebraska Track and Field program are so proud of him."&nbsp;“The NCAA Impact Award honors the best of the best among collegiate student-athletes,” Nebraska Director of Athletics Troy Dannen said. “Micaylon Moore embodies everything this award represents and has been an exceptional student-athlete during his time as a Husker.&nbsp; We are proud that Nebraska continues to lead the nation in the number of recipients of this prestigious award, and Micaylon is an outstanding addition to our elite group of honorees.”A native of Fort Collins, Colo., Moore won three U.S. Track &amp; Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-America honors in the triple jump, including two first-team selections, and he finished second at the 2025 NCAA Indoor Championships to finish his Husker career. Moore was the 2024 Big Ten Indoor champion in the triple jump and helped lead the Husker men to the 2023 and 2024 Big Ten Outdoor team titles. Moore earned the Big Ten Medal of Honor and was named Nebraska’s Most Outstanding Male Student-Athlete in 2025.&nbsp;Academically, Moore earned the Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award and was a semifinalist for the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar of the Year award. He received multiple College Sports Communicators Academic All-America honors, including first-team recognition in 2025. Beyond the track, he co-founded Husker Healers for student-athletes interested in health care careers, and the Black Student-Athlete Association. He served six years on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and volunteered at over 200 community events.Nebraska now has a nation-leading 19 recipients of the NCAA Impact (Today's Top 10) Award. Moore is the first Nebraska track and field athlete to receive the honor.&nbsp;

Moore receives NCAA Impact Award

On today's episode of Knight's Weekly, Paxton sat down with Jeff Thurman, Head Coach of the North Platte Community College Women's Basketball team, and discussed an encouraging performance in the first game back from winter break against McCook Community College and what they need to do going forward to continue this form.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655346441244.png" alt="<a href="https://www.npkubota.com/">Post Podcast Sponsored By North Platte Kubota</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.npkubota.com/">Post Podcast Sponsored By North Platte Kubota</a></figcaption>
 </figure>On today's episode of Knight's Weekly, Paxton sat down with Jeff Thurman, Head Coach of the North Platte Community College Women's Basketball team, and discussed an encouraging performance in the first game back from winter break against McCook Community College and what they need to do going forward to continue this form.<div><iframe title="🎙️ Knight's Weekly #8 2025 featuring North Platte Community College Women's Basketball Coach Jeff Thurman" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=3nsfc-1a1b24f-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Times%20New%20Roman&skin=654771&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

🎙️ Knight's Weekly #8 2025 featuring North Platte Community College Women's Basketball Coach Jeff Thurman

On today's episode of Knight's Weekly, Paxton sat down with Jacob Brandl, Head Coach of the North Platte Community College Men's Basketball team, to talk about the positive impact last Saturday's victory over McCook Community College had on the team so far. Also, what to expect from the team going forward as region play begins.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655346441244.png" alt="<a href="https://www.npkubota.com/">Post Podcast Sponsored By North Platte Kubota</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.npkubota.com/">Post Podcast Sponsored By North Platte Kubota</a></figcaption>
 </figure>On today's episode of Knight's Weekly, Paxton sat down with Jacob Brandl, Head Coach of the North Platte Community College Men's Basketball team, to talk about the positive impact last Saturday's victory over McCook Community College had on the team so far. Also, what to expect from the team going forward as region play begins.<div><iframe title="🎙️ Knight's Weekly #12 2026 featuring North Platte Community College Men's Basketball Coach Jacob Brandl" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=qr2th-1a1b20a-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Times%20New%20Roman&skin=654771&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

🎙️ Knight's Weekly #12 2026 featuring North Platte Community College Men's Basketball Coach Jacob Brandl

Story by NU Athletic Communications

Nebraska opens a two-game Big Ten road swing by battling its second straight NET Top-10 team, when the AP No. 24 Huskers take on AP No. 15 Michigan State Thursday in East Lansing.

Tip-off between the NCAA NET 19 Huskers (14-3, 3-3 Big Ten) and the NET No. 7 Spartans (16-1, 5-1 Big Ten) at the Breslin Center is set for 6 p.m. (CT). Live television coverage will be provided by the Big Ten Network with Ed Cohen and Christy Winters-Scott on the call.

• Free live audio from the Huskers Radio Network will be available on Huskers.com, the Huskers App, 107.3 FM in Lincoln and 1490 AM/97.3 FM/97.7 HD3 in Omaha with Matt Coatney and Jeff Griesch on the call for their 25th consecutive season.

Nebraska is coming off an 83-61 home loss to NCAA NET No. 2 UCLA in Lincoln on Sunday. The Huskers slipped to 3-3 in the Big Ten with all three setbacks to AP Top 20 teams.

Nancy Lieberman Award candidate Britt Prince is trying to help guide the Huskers through the gauntlet of the Big Ten schedule. The 5-11 sophomore point guard owns six 20-point performances this season, including a pair of 30-point games, but was limited to six points and five assists by a physically dominant Bruin defense.

Prince ranks eighth in the Big Ten in scoring (18.3 ppg) and ninth in assists (4.4 apg), while ranking fourth in the league in field goal percentage (.577) and third in free throw percentage (.902). She also leads the Huskers with 25 steals on the year.

Fellow sophomore Amiah Hargrove also has emerged as a rising star in the conference. A contender for Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year, Hargrove is averaging 11.9 points and a team-best 6.0 rebounds off the bench after leading five Huskers in double figures with 12 points against UCLA. The 6-2 forward is shooting 53.7 percent from the field and 85.4 percent from the free throw line. Hargrove, who missed the loss at No. 14 Iowa (Jan. 1) after suffering a mild concussion in the loss to No. 17 USC (Dec. 29), is averaging 13.4 points in Big Ten play. She erupted for a career-high 26 points on 10-of-14 shooting (4-5 3FG) in Nebraska's Big Ten-opening road win at Penn State (Dec. 6).   

Junior Jessica Petrie has provided consistency and leadership at both ends in her second season as a starter. The 6-2 forward from Gold Coast, Australia, ranks second on the team in scoring (12.2 ppg) and second in rebounding (5.1 rpg). Petrie, who had 10 points and five rebounds against UCLA, has produced double figures 13 times and scored at least seven points in all 17 games this season. Petrie, who leads Nebraska with a career-high-tying 20 blocks, also owns a career-best 16 steals this season after getting just 12 steals over 68 games in her first two years combined.

Callin Hake provides veteran leadership and the emotional heartbeat for the Big Red. The 5-8 senior guard from Victoria, Minn., is averaging 8.5 points and 4.2 assists per game with a 2.4 assist-to-turnover ratio. Hake is shooting 40.6 percent (26-64) from long range and 87.5 percent at the line. Hake, who has added 21 steals, also leads the Big Red with 21 charges drawn through 17 games.

Senior Eliza Maupin has earned four straight starts inside for the Big Red. The 6-3 senior is averaging 9.3 points and 4.4 rebounds after getting 10 points against No. 4 UCLA Sunday. Maupin has scored in double figures in five of her last six games, including her first Husker double-double with 12 points and a career-high-tying 11 rebounds at No. 14 Iowa (Jan. 1).

Sophomore Petra Bozan earned starts in NU's first 13 games. The 6-3 Croatian is averaging 7.2 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the field.  She produced a career-high 17 points in NU's Big Ten-opening win at Penn State (Dec. 6). • Graduate guard Hailey Weaver, who spent her first four seasons at Northwestern, started the first 13 games in the Husker lineup as the Big Red's top ball-pressuring guard ("Pirate" or "Hound"). Weaver ranks second among the Huskers with 22 steals. Logan Nissley has earned three straight starts. The 6-0 Nissley is averaging 7.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists while hitting 51.5 percent of her shots, including 50 percent (27-54) of her threes. She had back-to-back double-figure efforts last week with 11 points in a win over Indiana and 11 more against No. 4 UCLA.

Nebraska's rotation goes 10-12 deep, including significant contributions from Claire Johnson (4.6 ppg, 1.4 rpg), Kennadi Williams (2.8 ppg, 2.2 apg) and Emily Fisher.

NET 19 Nebraska Cornhuskers (14-3, 3-3 Big Ten)

21 - Eliza Maupin - 6-3 - Sr. - F - 9.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg

12 - Jessica Petrie - 6-2 - Jr. - F - 12.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg

2 - Logan Nissley - 6-0 - Jr. - G - 7.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg

14 - Callin Hake - 5-8 - Sr. - G - 8.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg

23 - Britt Prince - 5-11 - So. - G - 18.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg

33 - Amiah Hargrove - 6-2 - So. - F - 11.9 ppg, 6.0 rpg

4 - Petra Bozan - 6-3 - So. - F - 7.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg

5 - Claire Johnson - 5-9 - So. - G - 4.6 ppg, 1.4 rpg

1 - Hailey Weaver - 6-0 - Gr. - G - 3.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg

15 - Kennadi Williams - 5-4 - RFr. - G - 2.8 ppg, 0.9 rpg

34 - Emily Fisher - 6-0 - Jr. - G/F - 1.8 ppg, 2.0 rpg

00 - Alanna Neale - 5-10 - Fr. - G - 1.3 ppg, 0.3 rpg

22 - Natalie Potts - 6-2 - RSo. - F - 0.0 ppg, 0.0 rpg

3 - Allison Weidner [Out] - 5-10 - Gr. - G - Redshirt

Head Coach: Amy Williams (Nebraska, 1998)

10th Season at Nebraska (172-126); 19th Season Overall (365-235)

NET 7 Michigan State Spartans (16-1, 5-1 Big Ten)

14 - Grace VanSlooten - 6-2 - Sr. - F - 14.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg

10 - Ines Sotelo - 6-3 - Fr. - C - 5.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg

1 - Rashunda Jones - 5-8 - Jr. - G - 12.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg

23 - Jalyn Brown - 6-1 - Sr. - G - 10.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg

35 - Kennedy Blair - 5-9 - RSo. - G - 13.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg

5 - Emma Shumate - 6-1 - Sr. - F - 7.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg

9 - Sara Sambolic - 5-7 - Jr. - G - 3.5 ppg, 1.6 rpg

33 - Juliann Woodard - 6-0 - So. - G - 4.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg

32 - Marah Dykstra - 6-2 - Sr. - F - 3.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg

Head Coach: Robyn Fralick (Davidson, 2004)

Third Season at Michigan State (60-20); 12th Season Overall (252-96)

• No. 15 Michigan State returns home after getting back-to-back wins over Washington and Oregon on a West Coast trip last week. The Spartans (16-1, 5-1 Big Ten) fought their way to an 85-81 win over Oregon in Eugene late Sunday afternoon.

• The Spartans also opened with a Big Ten loss at Wisconsin (78-64, Dec. 7), before running to wins over Rutgers (Dec. 28), at Indiana (Jan. 1) and at home to Illinois (Jan. 4). In last Thursday night's win over No. 23 Washington in Seattle, the Huskies jumped to a 25-14 lead after one quarter before Michigan State outscored them, 48-22, in the second and third periods combined.

• Michigan State enters the week at No. 7 in the NCAA NET rankings thanks to top-10 national rankings in scoring margin (9th, +30.3) and scoring offense (7th, 88.5 ppg). The Spartans are shooting a stellar 50.2 percent (7th) from the field, including 38.7 percent (5th) from long range. Even more impressively, MSU owns a plus-10.3 turnover margin (6th) by forcing opponents into 22.1 turnovers per game (22nd), while committing just 11.8 miscues per contest (11th). Michigan State also carries a plus-5.9 rebound margin.

• Grace Van Slooten has been Michigan State's top returning player. The 6-2 senior forward is averaging 14.6 points per game, while ranking second on the squad with 6.3 rebounds. Van Slooten also leads MSU with 16 blocks and is tied for second on the team with 33 steals. She notched a double-double with 16 points and a game-high 10 rebounds in Sunday's win at Oregon, after getting 17 points and eight rebounds in last Thursday night's victory at No. 23 Washington. Van Slooten had 12 points and six rebounds off the bench before fouling out in a loss at Nebraska last season.

• Kennedy Blair has been one of the Big Ten's most improved players. The 5-9 redshirt sophomore ranks second on the team in scoring (13.4 ppg), while leading the Spartans in rebounding (7.2 rpg) and assists (5.7 apg). Blair is hitting 51.8 percent of her shots from the field, but just 28 percent (7-25) of her three-point attempts. She had 11 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals in the win over the Ducks, after leading the Spartans with 21 points and five assists in the win at Washington.

• Purdue transfer Rashunda Jones has made a major impact in the Spartan backcourt. The 5-8 junior is averaging 12.9 points with a team-best 44 steals on the season. Jones also ranks second on the team with 3.9 assists per game, while adding 3.5 rebounds. She led the Spartans with game highs of 23 points and five steals to go with six rebounds in Sunday's win over the Ducks, after notching a double-double with 17 points and a game-high 10 rebounds to go with four assists and three steals in the win at Washington.

• Jalyn Brown has recently entered the starting lineup. The 6-1 senior guard is averaging 10.1 points and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 40 percent (14-35) from three-point range. She also has hit 55.1 percent of her shots from the floor. Brown had 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting in the win at Oregon.

• Ines Sotelo rounds out MSU's starting five. The 6-3 center is averaging 5.4 points. Sotelo is the only active Spartan to start in last season's loss at Nebraska. She had six points and four rebounds in 17 minutes.

• Michigan State, which has lost past starters Theryn Hallock (10.6 ppg) and Isaline Alexander (9.6 ppg) to injury, gets significant contributions off the bench from Emma Shumate. The 6-1 senior forward is averaging 7.4 points while shooting a team-best 45.3 percent (39-86) from long range. Shumate had 10 points on 3-of-9 three-point shooting at Oregon.

• Sophomore Julianna Woodard has pitched in 4.9 points while hitting 43.6 percent (17-39) from beyond the arc. She had nine points on 3-of-8 three-point shooting against the Ducks. while junior transfer Sara Sambolic has pitched in 3.5 points. Marah Dykstra, a 6-2 senior forward, has added 3.6 points while hitting 44.4 percent (12-27) threes.

Nebraska vs. Michigan State Series History

• Nebraska leads the all-time series with Michigan State 13-6 with all 19 meetings as Big Ten foes.

• The Big Red won the lone meeting with the Spartans last season, an 85-80 victory  in Lincoln on Jan. 8, 2025. Alexis Markowski dominated the game with 28 points and eight rebounds, while Allison Weidner played her best game of the season with 11 points and six assists. Three days later (Jan. 11) Weidner suffered a season-ending knee injury in practice ahead of NU's game at Rutgers.

• Britt Prince (10), Logan Nissley (6), Jessica Petrie (6) and Callin Hake (4) all started last year's game with MSU. Michigan State starters Julia Ayrault (21) and Theryn Hallock (18) led the Spartans.

• The Huskers won both games against the Spartans in 2023-24, including a 73-61 victory over MSU in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament at the Target Center in Minneapolis (March 8, 2024). Nebraska also opened Big Ten play with an 80-74 win at Michigan State (Dec. 9, 2023).

• Jessica Petrie (11) and Natalie Potts (10) both produced double figures at the Breslin Center, while Potts added a double-double with 15 points and 11 boards in the Big Ten Tournament win.

• Nebraska, which is 7-0 all-time against Michigan State in Lincoln, will be playing its seventh game away from Lincoln in the last nine meetings with the Spartans. In the only meeting at PBA with Michigan State since 2019, the Huskers fought to a 71-67 win over the Spartans (Feb. 2, 2023).

• On Feb. 27, 2021, Michigan State chose not to play on Nebraska’s Senior Day, despite traveling to Lincoln. As a result, Nebraska played three consecutive games in the series at East Lansing before the February 2023 win at PBA. The Huskers won the previous meeting in Lincoln, 82-71, Feb. 17, 2019.

• The Huskers are 4-5 against Michigan State all-time in East Lansing, and 2-1 against the Spartans at the Big Ten Tournament, including an 85-58 pounding of MSU on March 8, 2014, on the way to Nebraska’s 2014 Big Ten title.

• Eight of Nebraska’s 13 wins have been by 10 points or less, while each of MSU’s last three wins have been by single digits.

• Nebraska is 12-4 in its last 16 meetings with the Spartans, even though 11 of the 16 games have been played away from Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Prince Named to Nancy Lieberman Watch List

• Nebraska's Britt Prince was named to the list of 20 women's college basketball players on the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year Preseason Watch List on Oct. 27. The Lieberman Award was the first of the Naismith Starting 5 award watch lists announced by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

• Fan voting for the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard Award is open at http://www.hoophallawards.com.

• Prince, a 5-11 sophomore from Omaha, Neb., returns for her second season at Nebraska after averaging 13.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.7 steals as a true freshman.

• Through 17 games this season, she is averaging a team-best 18.3 points per game while hitting 57.7 percent (120-208) of her shots from the field, including 25-of-50 threes (.500).

• Prince was the MVP of the Emerald Coast Classic Beach Bracket (Nov. 24-25) after leading the Huskers to a tournament title with 30 points on 12-of-17 shooting in a 91-82 win over Virginia. She averaged 24.0 points and 6.5 assists in the tournament, including 18 points and a season-high seven assists in a win over Purdue Fort Wayne.

• Prince established her career high with 30 points on 13-of-18 shooting in a win over Oral Roberts (Nov. 19).

• She produced a 27-point performance at No. 14 Iowa (Jan. 1), when she also recorded five rebounds and four steals, before getting a game-high 17 points to go with a team-high four rebounds in the win over Purdue (Jan. 4).

• Prince opened Big Ten play with 20 points in a win at Penn State (Dec. 6) and produced her third 20-point effort in conference play this season with 20 points and seven assists in a win over Indiana (Jan. 8). She also led all players with 18 points and seven assists against No. 17 USC (Dec. 29).

• She tipped 2025-26 with 19 points, five rebounds, an assist and a steal in a win over Northwestern State (Nov. 3).

• Prince followed with 23 points, two assists and two steals in a win over Samford (Nov. 8), before getting 18 points and a season-high seven rebounds in a win over Creighton (Nov. 12).

• She had 16 points and three assists in a win over North Dakota State in Sioux Falls, S.D. (Nov. 16).

• Prince had 17 points, four rebounds and five assists in a 92-53 win over Bradley (Dec. 3).

• She had eight points, five assists and five steals in an 87-35 win over Omaha (Dec. 9), before going for 13 points, six rebounds, six assists and no turnovers in a win over Illinois State (Dec. 14).

• Prince, a two-time Gatorade and MaxPreps Nebraska High School Player of the Year at Elkhorn North, earned Big Ten All-Freshman honors while leading the Huskers to the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

• In the NCAA Tournament, Prince led the Big Red with 14 points and six assists against Louisville. She averaged 17.0 points and 5.3 assists over three Big Ten Tournament games, including a season-high-tying 24 points against tourney champion and NCAA No. 1 seed UCLA.

• Prince was the USBWA National Freshman of the Week (Jan. 21, 2025) after going for 22 points, seven rebounds, five assists and a career-high six steals in a win at Iowa (Jan. 16, 2025), when she hit a career-high five three-pointers.

Potts Earns Spot on Katrina McClain Watch List

• Nebraska's Natalie Potts was included on the list of 20 women's college basketball players named to the Katrina McClain Power Forward of the Year Preseason Watch List on Oct. 30. The McClain Award was the fourth of the Naismith Starting 5 award watch lists announced by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

• Fan voting for the Katrina McClain Power Forward Award is open at http://www.hoophallawards.com.

• Potts, a 6-2 redshirt sophomore from O'Fallon, Mo., returns for her third season at Nebraska in 2025-26. She was the 2023-24 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, before suffering a season-ending knee injury in the fifth game of the 2024-25 campaign. Potts was averaging team bests of 17.5 points and 8.0 rebounds through the first four games prior to her injury. She was shooting 69.4 percent from the field, including 72.7 percent (8-11) from three-point range to lead the Big Red to a No. 19 national ranking and a 4-0 start.

• In 40-minute production, Potts put up eye-popping numbers of 28.6 points and 13.1 rebounds per 40 to rank among the best players in the Big Ten through the first four games last season.

• In 2023-24, Potts led all Big Ten freshmen in rebounding (5.2 rpg) and field goal percentage (.489), while ranking second among league freshmen in scoring (10.2 ppg) and free throw percentage (.829) in 2023-24. She started all 35 games for the 23-12 Huskers, who advanced to the Big Ten Championship Game and the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

• Potts, who won 8-of-15 Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Week awards during the regular season, was the most consistent freshman in the conference from start to finish. She won the inaugural weekly honor on Nov. 13, 2023, before claiming the final two freshman awards on Feb. 26 and March 4. She won at least one weekly honor during all five months of the season. Her eight weekly awards matched the total of fellow Nebraska Big Ten Freshman of the Year Alexis Markowski in 2022.

• Potts, who also claimed an honorable-mention All-Big Ten award from the conference media, was a unanimous choice on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team by the conference coaches.

• After suffering her knee injury against North Alabama (Nov. 19, 2024), Potts underwent knee surgery (Dec. 4). She continues to rehab but has not yet returned to practice with the team.

• Through 17 games, Nebraska ranks among the top 25 teams in 11 NCAA categories.

• FG% - .501 ranks 8th nationally and 3rd in the Big Ten.

• Bench Scoring - 31.0 ppg ranks 10th nationally and 2nd in the Big Ten.

• Assists Per Game - 19.0 ranks 12th nationally and 4th in the Big Ten.

• Assist-to-Turnover - 1.47 ranks 14th nationally and 4th in the Big Ten.

• FT% - .781 ranks 14th nationally and 2nd in the Big Ten.

• Average Home Attendance - 5,476 ranks 14th nationally and 5th in the Big Ten.

No. 24 Huskers shoot for road upset of No. 15 Spartans Thursday

Lincoln, Neb. – Behind a season-high 17 3-pointers, No. 8 Nebraska remained unbeaten with a 90-55 victory over Oregon Tuesday evening at the Pinnacle Bank Arena.

<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/player/braden-frager">Braden Frager</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/player/pryce-sandfort">Pryce Sandfort</a>&nbsp;combined for 51 points, as Nebraska shot 53.3 percent from the field, including 17-of-36 from 3-point range.

Sandfort led all scorers with 28 points, including 7-of-11 from 3-point range, while Frager scored a career-high 23 points off the bench, highlighted by seven 3-pointers, as Nebraska remained unbeaten at 17-0 overall and 6-0 in Big Ten action.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/player/sam-hoiberg">Sam Hoiberg</a>&nbsp;was the third Husker in double figures with 11 points and a career-high six steals.

Hoiberg and the Husker defense stymied Oregon, forcing 16 Duck turnovers that led to a 23-4 advantage on points off turnovers.

Nebraska took control of the game in the final four minutes of the half as Sandfort and Frager combined for 12 points in a 14-2 spurt that turned a tie game until a 42-30 halftime lead after consecutive 3-pointers from Frager.

The second half was all Huskers, as Nebraska shot 58 percent in the second half, including 8-of-16 from 3-point range. NU scored the first five points to extend the lead to 17 and force an Oregon timeout just 1:12 into the second half. In all, the Huskers outscored Oregon, 24-5 to stretch the lead to 52-33 after a slam dunk by Frager.

From there, the Huskers cruised, leading by as much as 39 before closing out the 35-point win, NU’s largest margin of victory in Big Ten play since joining the conference in 2011-12.

Wei Lin led Oregon (8-9, 1-5 Big Ten) with 13 points while Takai Simpkins and Nate Bittle added 12 and 10 points, respectively.

NU will hit the road to take on the Northwestern Wildcats in Evanston, Ill., on Saturday, Jan. 17. The game is set to start at 3 p.m. (CT) and will be televised on the Big Ten Network.

Lincoln, Neb. – Behind a season-high 17 3-pointers, No. 8 Nebraska remained unbeaten with a 90-55 victory over Oregon Tuesday evening at the Pinnacle Bank Arena.<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/player/braden-frager">Braden Frager</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/player/pryce-sandfort">Pryce Sandfort</a>&nbsp;combined for 51 points, as Nebraska shot 53.3 percent from the field, including 17-of-36 from 3-point range.Sandfort led all scorers with 28 points, including 7-of-11 from 3-point range, while Frager scored a career-high 23 points off the bench, highlighted by seven 3-pointers, as Nebraska remained unbeaten at 17-0 overall and 6-0 in Big Ten action.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/player/sam-hoiberg">Sam Hoiberg</a>&nbsp;was the third Husker in double figures with 11 points and a career-high six steals.Hoiberg and the Husker defense stymied Oregon, forcing 16 Duck turnovers that led to a 23-4 advantage on points off turnovers.Nebraska took control of the game in the final four minutes of the half as Sandfort and Frager combined for 12 points in a 14-2 spurt that turned a tie game until a 42-30 halftime lead after consecutive 3-pointers from Frager.The second half was all Huskers, as Nebraska shot 58 percent in the second half, including 8-of-16 from 3-point range. NU scored the first five points to extend the lead to 17 and force an Oregon timeout just 1:12 into the second half. In all, the Huskers outscored Oregon, 24-5 to stretch the lead to 52-33 after a slam dunk by Frager.From there, the Huskers cruised, leading by as much as 39 before closing out the 35-point win, NU’s largest margin of victory in Big Ten play since joining the conference in 2011-12.Wei Lin led Oregon (8-9, 1-5 Big Ten) with 13 points while Takai Simpkins and Nate Bittle added 12 and 10 points, respectively.NU will hit the road to take on the Northwestern Wildcats in Evanston, Ill., on Saturday, Jan. 17. The game is set to start at 3 p.m. (CT) and will be televised on the Big Ten Network.Postgame notes<ul>
 <li>With the win, Nebraska improved to 17-0 this season, extending the best start to a season in program history. The Huskers are now one of only&nbsp;four&nbsp;unbeaten teams in the country following Iowa State’s loss at Kansas Tuesday night.</li><li>The win also extended the Huskers’ school-record win streak to 21 games dating back to last season.</li><li>Nebraska scored 90 points in the win, its fourth 90-point game of the season. The four 90-point games in a season tie for ninth in school history.</li><li>The 35-point margin of victory was Nebraska’s largest in Big Ten play, topping the previous high of 34 at Rutgers on Jan. 9, 2016</li><li>The Huskers have hit the 90-point mark twice in Big Ten Conference play. This marks the second time Nebraska has scored 90 points in multiple Big Ten games since joining the conference in 2011-12. The 2017-18 squad also had two 90-point games in conference play. Overall, tonight marked the 10th time Nebraska has scored 90 points in a Big Ten Conference game.</li><li>The Huskers won by 35 points, marking their second 30-point victory in three Big Ten Conference home games this season.</li><li>Nebraska was 17-of-36 from the 3-point line, finishing one 3-pointer shy of tying the school record of 18 3-pointers, set against Kansas on Feb. 24, 2002.</li><li>The Huskers’ 17 3-pointers against Oregon&nbsp;tied&nbsp;a Pinnacle Bank Arena&nbsp;record set against FIU on Nov. 8. It is also the 11th&nbsp;time NU has had 10-or-more 3-pointers.</li><li>Nebraska tied its season high with 11 steals, a feat it also accomplished against FIU in the second game of the season. Overall, the Huskers have three games this season with double-digit steals.</li><li>The Huskers had 20 assists in the game, marking the ninth time this season Nebraska has recorded 20 or more assists.</li><li>Pryce Sandfort and Braden Frager each made seven 3-pointers, which tied for the most threes by a Husker in a game at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Overall, Sandfort and Frager both finished one 3-pointer shy of the school record of eight 3-pointers, set by Cary Cochran against Baylor on Feb. 27, 2002.</li><li>Sandfort finished with 28 points, his sixth 20-point game this season and second in Big Ten play.</li><li>Frager scored a career-high 23 points, his third career 20-point game and first in a Big Ten Conference game.</li><li>Sandfort and Frager gave Nebraska two 20-point scorers, marking the fourth time this season the Huskers have had multiple players score 20 or more points in a game.</li><li>Sam Hoiberg recorded a career-high six steals in the win. The six steals were two shy of the school record and were the most ever by a Husker at Pinnacle Bank Arena.&nbsp;His previous career best was four, set five other times, most recently against Winthrop on Nov. 25. Hoiberg’s six steals is the most by a Husker since Glynn Watson Jr. had 6 vs. Long Beach State on Nov. 26, 2017.</li>
 </ul>

No. 8 Huskers remain unbeaten with 90-55 win over Oregon

Dundy County Stratton 61 vs Hitchcock County 40

Dundy County Stratton 59 vs Hitchcock County 58

<h2>Girls Basketball</h2>Broken Bow 53 @ Sandhills/Thedford 25Cambridge 61 @ Medicine Valley 23Dundy County Stratton 61 vs Hitchcock County 40Garden County 47 vs Minatare 29Gothenburg 62 @ Hershey 27Maywood-Hayes Center 51 vs Maxwell 41Overton 53 @ Brady 37Southern Valley 45 vs Chase County 43Sutherland 41 @ Arthur County 39Wauneta-Palisade 51 vs South Platte 38<h2>Boys Basketball</h2>Arthur County 52 vs Sutherland 49Broken Bow 74 @ Sandhills/Thedford 57Cambridge 55 @ Medicine Valley 40Chase County 68 @ Southern Valley 35Dundy County Stratton 59 vs Hitchcock County 58Garden County 73 vs Minatare 22Gothenburg 65 @ Hershey 54Maywood-Hayes Center 58 vs Maxwell 33Overton 65 @ Brady 26South Platte 64 @ Wauneta-Palisade 46<h2>Wrestling</h2>Perkins County InviteTeam Results1	Ogallala Girls 	117.02	Chase County Girls 	84.03	Southwest Girls 	79.04	Hershey Girls 	44.05	Wauneta-Palisade Girls 	40.56	Maxwell Girls 	32.07	Dundy County Stratton Girls 	26.08	Gothenburg Girls 	24.59	South Platte Girls 	24.010	Mullen Girls 	22.011	Perkins County Girls 	21.012	Paxton Girls 	20.013	Mitchell Girls 	11.0

Area NSAA Basketball and Wrestling results from 11-13

On today's late episode of Knight's Weekly, Paxton sat down with Jacob Brandl, Head Coach of the North Platte Community College Men's Basketball team, and welcomed back Coach to discuss all things first semester and share his goals and expectations for his players heading into the second half of the season.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655346441244.png" alt="<a href="https://www.npkubota.com/">Post Podcast Sponsored By North Platte Kubota</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.npkubota.com/">Post Podcast Sponsored By North Platte Kubota</a></figcaption>
 </figure>On today's late episode of Knight's Weekly, Paxton sat down with Jacob Brandl, Head Coach of the North Platte Community College Men's Basketball team, and welcomed back Coach to discuss all things first semester and share his goals and expectations for his players heading into the second half of the season.<div><iframe title="🎙️ Knight's Weekly #11 2025 featuring North Platte Community College Men's Basketball Coach Jacob Brandl" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=drkuw-1a13a4d-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Times%20New%20Roman&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=1b1b1b" loading="lazy"></iframe</div>

🎙️ Knight's Weekly #11 2026 featuring North Platte Community College Men's Basketball Coach Jacob Brandl

Story by UNK Athletic Communications

Kearney, Neb. – The sixth-ranked Fort Hays State Tigers were strong in the second half and got big performances from junior wing Talexa Weeter and senior point guard Brooke Loewe to down Nebraska Kearney, 84-73, Tuesday night at Buckle Court.

Hays (13-1, 4-1) will host UNK (9-7, 2-3) in the regular season finale Feb. 2.

The Lopers held leads of 27-19 and 50-40 but behind the nation's leading scorer, Weeter, and the nation's assist leader, Loewe, the Tigers closed on a 44-23 run. Weeter (28.9 ppg) went for a game-high 30 by going 11 of (2 of 3 threes) from the field and 6 of 8 at the line. She worked around three fouls to also have eight boards and three dimes. Next, Loewe (10.3 apg) had a school record 17 assists with many of her passes finding Weeter.

"They score the ball well and are the sixth team in the country for a reason. They are a good basketball team and well coached," said Loper head coach Drew Johnson. "We couldn't get quite enough stops to hang at the end."

Senior point guard Jillian Aschoff (Lincoln Pius) had her second triple double of the season (21 points, 10 rebounds &amp; 10 assists), but the Lopers saw that 10-point second half lead evaporate quickly. An 8-0 spurt made it 50-40 midway through the third and was capped by a three from Polish senior Malgorzata Byczkowska. However, UNK finished 6 of 23 from deep with Hays erasing that double digit deficit prior to the start of the fourth.

"I thought there was a time midway through the third they were going to take a timeout. We were on a run but then committed like five turnovers in seven possessions which ends up kind of stymieing our momentum," said Johnson.

Hays outscored UNK 30-19 over the final 10 minutes as they shot 73% (11 of 15) from the field and went 6 of 6 at the line. On the night, the Tigers were plus five on the glass, tallied 29 points off 18 Loper turnovers, banked in two threes and got a big third quarter from reserve Avery Lowe (11 points).

Becoming the 39th Loper to reach 900 career points (905), Aschoff finished 8 of 20 from the field. Finally, Diller freshman Myleigh Weers had 21 points thanks to a big first half and Scottsbluff sophomore left reserve Paige Horne provided six points and six rebounds (three offensive).

"We're not going to walk into any game timid and we're jelling now in a good way. I'm excited for what the future looks like for this basketball team for the rest of the season," said Johnson. "We had a lot of stuff that went well tonight, but we didn't make as many threes as we've been hitting."

The Lopers head to Emporia State (7-6, 1-3) on Saturday and will be the second game of the day.

Story by UNK Athletic CommunicationsKearney, Neb. – The sixth-ranked Fort Hays State Tigers were strong in the second half and got big performances from junior wing Talexa Weeter and senior point guard Brooke Loewe to down Nebraska Kearney, 84-73, Tuesday night at Buckle Court.Hays (13-1, 4-1) will host UNK (9-7, 2-3) in the regular season finale Feb. 2.The Lopers held leads of 27-19 and 50-40 but behind the nation's leading scorer, Weeter, and the nation's assist leader, Loewe, the Tigers closed on a 44-23 run. Weeter (28.9 ppg) went for a game-high 30 by going 11 of (2 of 3 threes) from the field and 6 of 8 at the line. She worked around three fouls to also have eight boards and three dimes. Next, Loewe (10.3 apg) had a school record 17 assists with many of her passes finding Weeter."They score the ball well and are the sixth team in the country for a reason. They are a good basketball team and well coached," said Loper head coach Drew Johnson. "We couldn't get quite enough stops to hang at the end."Senior point guard Jillian Aschoff (Lincoln Pius) had her second triple double of the season (21 points, 10 rebounds &amp; 10 assists), but the Lopers saw that 10-point second half lead evaporate quickly. An 8-0 spurt made it 50-40 midway through the third and was capped by a three from Polish senior Malgorzata Byczkowska. However, UNK finished 6 of 23 from deep with Hays erasing that double digit deficit prior to the start of the fourth."I thought there was a time midway through the third they were going to take a timeout. We were on a run but then committed like five turnovers in seven possessions which ends up kind of stymieing our momentum," said Johnson.Hays outscored UNK 30-19 over the final 10 minutes as they shot 73% (11 of 15) from the field and went 6 of 6 at the line. On the night, the Tigers were plus five on the glass, tallied 29 points off 18 Loper turnovers, banked in two threes and got a big third quarter from reserve Avery Lowe (11 points).Becoming the 39th Loper to reach 900 career points (905), Aschoff finished 8 of 20 from the field. Finally, Diller freshman Myleigh Weers had 21 points thanks to a big first half and Scottsbluff sophomore left reserve Paige Horne provided six points and six rebounds (three offensive)."We're not going to walk into any game timid and we're jelling now in a good way. I'm excited for what the future looks like for this basketball team for the rest of the season," said Johnson. "We had a lot of stuff that went well tonight, but we didn't make as many threes as we've been hitting."The Lopers head to Emporia State (7-6, 1-3) on Saturday and will be the second game of the day.

Aschoff has second triple double but Lopers fall to #6 Tigers, 84-73

Dundy County Stratton 61 vs Chase County 54

Hershey 60 @ South Loup (Callaway/Arnold) 13

Wauneta-Palisade 60 vs Bird City-Cheylin, KS 50

Bird City-Cheylin, KS 55 @ Wauneta-Palisade 48

Chase County 60 @ Dundy County Stratton 45

Hershey 64 @ South Loup (Callaway/Arnold) 37

Sandhills/Thedford 12 vs. South Loup3 4 (Callaway/Arnold)

120: Caleb Clark (SATH) over Noah Hiatt (SOLP) (Fall 2:41)

126: Josiah Coleman (SOLP) over Mason Sutton (SATH) (MD 9-0)

132: Ben Linden (SOLP) over (SATH) (For.)

<h2>Girls Basketball</h2>Arapahoe 71 vs Maxwell 32Broken Bow 72 vs McCook 42Dundy County Stratton 61 vs Chase County 54Hershey 60 @ South Loup (Callaway/Arnold) 13Hyannis 51 vs Sutherland 39Maywood-Hayes Center 80 @ Hi-Line 14Medicine Valley 47 vs Wallace 35Norton, KS 49 vs Cozad 29Ogallala 64 vs Bridgeport 30Southwest 56 vs Hitchcock County 46Wauneta-Palisade 60 vs Bird City-Cheylin, KS 50<h2>Boys Basketball</h2>Bird City-Cheylin, KS 55 @ Wauneta-Palisade 48Chase County 60 @ Dundy County Stratton 45Cozad 66 @ Norton, KS 36Hershey 64 @ South Loup (Callaway/Arnold) 37Hitchcock County 71 @ Southwest 55Hyannis 49 vs Sutherland 29Maxwell 66 @ Arapahoe 44Maywood-Hayes Center 59 @ Hi-Line 20McCook 70 @ Broken Bow 57Ogallala 72 vs Bridgeport 42Perkins County 57 @ Sandhills Valley 14Wallace 61 @ Medicine Valley 47<h2>Boys Wrestling</h2>Sandhills/Thedford 12 vs. South Loup3 4 (Callaway/Arnold)120: Caleb Clark (SATH) over Noah Hiatt (SOLP) (Fall 2:41)126: Josiah Coleman (SOLP) over Mason Sutton (SATH) (MD 9-0)132: Ben Linden (SOLP) over (SATH) (For.)138: Double Forfeit144: Ryan Lords (SOLP) over (SATH) (For.)150: Double Forfeit157: Double Forfeit165: Jacob King (SOLP) over Cesar Chavez (SATH) (Fall 2:48)175: Paxton Bierman (SOLP) over (SATH) (For.)190: Blake Robertson (SOLP) over (SATH) (For.)215: Double Forfeit285: Braydyn Hickman (SATH) over (SOLP) (For.)106: Double Forfeit113: Double ForfeitBrady 6 vs. North Platte St. Patrick`s 66120: Sam Citta (NPSP) over Killian McGinnis (BRDY) (Fall 1:06)126: Logan Robirds (NPSP) over (BRDY) (For.)132: Matthew Giebler (NPSP) over (BRDY) (For.)138: Hudson Deeds (NPSP) over (BRDY) (For.)144: Ryker Atkins (NPSP) over (BRDY) (For.)157: Tucker Kemp (NPSP) over (BRDY) (For.)165: Breckyn Collins (NPSP) over andrew Karchner (BRDY) (Fall 2:57)175: Emilio Dimas (NPSP) over (BRDY) (For.)190: Cleland Robison (BRDY) over Timothy Byers (NPSP) (Fall 1:39)215: Lane Citta (NPSP) over (BRDY) (For.)285: Weston Hammond (NPSP) over (BRDY) (For.)106: Blake Folchert (NPSP) over Colter Sanger (BRDY) (Fall 2:27)North Platte St. Patrick`s 33 vs. Arapahoe 39113: Double Forfeit120: Wyatt Blickenstaff (ARAP) over Sam Citta (NPSP) (Fall 3:08)126: Matthew Giebler (NPSP) over Thomas Magorian (ARAP) (Fall 4:27)132: Logan Robirds (NPSP) over Rigley McDonald (ARAP) (Dec 4-2)138: Hudson Deeds (NPSP) over (ARAP) (For.)144: Carter Blickenstaff (ARAP) over (NPSP) (For.)150: Briggs Hill (ARAP) over (NPSP) (For.)157: Tucker Kemp (NPSP) over Hunter Jorschumb (ARAP) (Fall 0:54)165: Breckyn Collins (NPSP) over (ARAP) (For.)175: Emilio Dimas (NPSP) over Wyatt Soncksen (ARAP) (Fall 1:38)190: Makaden Dunn (ARAP) over Timothy Byers (NPSP) (Fall 0:38)215: Edgar Diaz (ARAP) over Lane Citta (NPSP) (Fall 1:43)285: Trey Downey (ARAP) over Weston Hammond (NPSP) (Fall 5:07)106: Gavin Andrews (ARAP) over Blake Folchert (NPSP) (Dec 8-2)Brady 6 vs. Arapahoe 66106: Gavin Andrews (ARAP) over Colter Sanger (BRDY) (Fall 1:13)113: Double Forfeit120: Wyatt Blickenstaff (ARAP) over Killian McGinnis (BRDY) (Fall 0:59)126: Thomas Magorian (ARAP) over (BRDY) (For.)132: Rigley McDonald (ARAP) over (BRDY) (For.)138: Carter Blickenstaff (ARAP) over (BRDY) (For.)144: Briggs Hill (ARAP) over (BRDY) (For.)150: Double Forfeit157: Hunter Jorschumb (ARAP) over (BRDY) (For.)165: andrew Karchner (BRDY) over Wyatt Soncksen (ARAP) (Fall 2:23)175: Makaden Dunn (ARAP) over (BRDY) (For.)190: Edgar Diaz (ARAP) over Cleland Robison (BRDY) (Fall 3:59)215: Trey Downey (ARAP) over (BRDY) (For.)285: Ethen Hoard (ARAP) over (BRDY) (For.)