This game was never really in doubt as the Huskers led wire-to-wire. Northwestern is a decent team, and very well-coached, but did not have the firepower to challenge the Huskers. Nebraska got a much-needed
conference win and moves to 16-5 overall and evens up their conference record at 5-5. Northwestern falls to 8-13 and 2-8. The Huskers were led by Britt Prince with 28 points. Nissley (14), Hake (13) and Hargrove (13) also scored in double digits. Hargrove notched a double-double with 11 rebounds. Prince was second on the team with six rebounds and led with six assists.
Nebraska shot 53% overall (30-57) and held the Wildcats to 45% (25-55). As a team, the Huskers shot 90% from the free throw line (18-20). They outrebounded Northwestern 37-27 but committed 14 turnovers to 12 for the Wildcats.
First Quarter Notes
Jessica Petrie was sick so Amiah Hargrove joined the starting lineup along with Britt Prince, Eliza Maupin, Logan Nissley, and Callin Hake. Maupin opened the scoring with a layup assisted by Prince. That basket was quickly answered by the Wildcats. The next two minutes included a Prince three-pointer, a block by Hargrove, and a tie-up by Hake (7-4 Neb). The game continued to be tight to the mid-quarter timeout (12-10 Neb). The Huskers played eight in that stretch while the Wildcats stuck with their starters.
Kennadi Williams is seeing increased playing time, and deservedly so, as she works harder than anyone and makes good decisions. You can tell she is a coach’s kid.
Quick scoring out of the timeout led to a 16-13 Husker lead. That score stuck for two minutes and saw one Wildcat starter (Lau) rack up her second foul. Aaaaaand then two more Northwestern players (Turner and Sullivan) also picked up second fouls. The Wildcats do not play a deep rotation so that development was big. The Huskers made a concerted effort to drive the basket and force Northwestern to play defense (22-15 Neb). Emily Fisher picked up her second foul for Nebraska. Callin Hake called “bank” and drained a three off the glass AND THEN FISHER HIT A HALF COURT THREE TO END THE HALF!
Nebraska 28 Northwestern 17
Seven Huskers scored in the first quarter compared to three Wildcats. Britt Prince already has eight points.
Second Quarter
Petra Bozan assisted a Nissley three early in the quarter and then Hake notched a long shot of her own (34-18 Neb). Bozan is playing a solid game. Yet another Wildcat (Walton) picked up her second foul. Northwestern has half of their eight-player rotation in early foul trouble (36-18 Neb). The Wildcats went on a small run to cut the 18-point lead to 11 (36-25 Neb) before Fisher converted a three-point play (39-25) which was the third foul on Lau. Then Sullivan was tabbed with her third foul for the Wildcats. There are only three Wildcats in the scoring column and one is on the bench in foul trouble (41-25 Neb).
The Huskers let up a bit on defense as Northwestern converted a couple of easy possessions (44-30 Neb). Another Wildcat starter picked up a second foul (Lash). Despite the foul trouble, the Wildcats managed to close the gap before the half.
Nebraska 47 Northwestern 36
Prince and Hake lead Husker scorers with 10 each. Nissley has four rebounds and Prince four assists. Petra Bozan is in foul trouble for Nebraska (3) while Maupin and Fisher have two. The Huskers are shooting 78% (NOT A TYPO; 7-9) from three-point range and 61% overall (14-23).
Third Quarter Notes
The early portion of the quarter included even scoring and reduced foul calls. The Wildcats clawed within 10 (59-49). A weird sequence that looked like a Husker and-one was reviewed and instead deemed a foul on Bozan. Amy Williams let the officials know of her unhappiness. The fouls went against the Huskers more than the Wildcats as no more foul trouble mounted for Northwestern. Instead, Bozan and Fisher were whistled four their fourth violations (67-55 Neb). The quarter ended with one more Nebraska basket.
Nebraska 69 Northwestern 55
Fourth Quarter
The Wildcats’ Sullivan picked up her fourth foul but stayed on the floor. She was helpless to defend and the Huskers attacked (73-55 Neb). The lead grew to 20 with 7:22 left (75-55 Neb). The foul situation changed drastically as Maupin picked up her fourth (the third Husker to reach that number after Bozan and Fisher). Then a Wildcat (Walton) was whistled for four. Nebraska was in the bonus with over six minutes left (79-57 Neb).
Nebraska’s lead dipped to 16 (81-65) and stayed there for a minute or two. The question now was whether anyone would foul out…And Bozan won that challenge and was disqualified with 3:13 left. Then Maupin fouled out at 2:16 with an 83-68 lead. Northwestern went on a run to close within 12 in the last minute (85-73 Neb). Garbage time ensued.
Note: Britt Prince is 44-44 from the free throw line in conference play.
Final. Nebraska 89 Northwestern 73
