THIS WEEK - The Southwest Minnesota State University women's basketball team (0-2) heads on the road for the first time during the regular season taking on the University of Nebraska-Kearney (0-3) on Friday night in Kearney, Neb. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m. at the UNK Health & Sports Center.  

    HOMECOMING FOR COACH KRUGER - Friday's game will have special meaning for SMSU head coach Allison Kruger, as she'll be facing her alma mater for the first time as a head coach. Kruger was a four-year letterwinner at UNK from 1999-2004 and a two-time RMAC Player of the Year. She finished her career third all-time in school history in points scored (1,682), fourth in rebounds (788) and fourth in field goals made (623). She was a second team All-America in 2004 and honorable mention All-America in 2003.

    SERIES HISTORY - Southwest Minnesota State and Nebraska-Kearney meet for just the second time on Friday night with SMSU winning the only meeting during the NCAA tournament in 2002. SMSU earned a 67-57 win in the first round of the NCAA North Central Region Tournament played in Grand Junction, Colo. It was SMSU's first-ever NCAA tournament victory.

    ABOUT NEBRASKA-KEARNEY - The Lopers enter Thursday's game with an 0-3 record, having lost to NSIC members Wayne State (78-50) and Northern State (61-45) last weekend in Wayne, Neb. UNK lost its home opener on Monday night to Midland University (Neb.) 117-115 in overtime. Amarah Williams led the Lopers in the loss to Midland with 26 points on 10 of 13 shooting, while Laramey Lewis poured in 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Kevin Chaney is in his fifth season as head coach at UNK with a record of 38-71.

    MUSTANGS DROP A PAIR AT HOME TO OPEN SEASON - Southwest Minnesota State opened its season last weekend with a pair of home losses to MSU Denver (67-60) and No. 24 Pittsburg State (92-73). In the loss to MSU Denver, Hope Bonlander led the Mustangs with 15 points on 6 of 10 shooting, while Emilee Duske added 13 points and five rebounds. Taylor Holicky grabbed a game-high nine rebounds. SMSU shot 40 percent from the field, but made just 2 of 16 from 3-point range and was outrebounded 41-33. In the loss to PSU, the Gorillas shot 59 percent from the field and forced SMSU into 21 turnovers. Lauren Hedlund paced the Mustangs with 23 points, connecting on 9 of 13 shots and also grabbed a game-high eight rebounds. SMSU made 8 of 11 3-pointers with Abby Connell and Annessa Rosch each making three 3-pointers.