The ladies had this game well in hand early. I wasn’t sure what to expect coming into this one as Creighton has had Nebraska’s number for several years.
We were treated to a game that was a blowout statiscally,
but felt much closer than the score suggests. Creighton is a young team still learning how to play together. Nebraska is a team that has a lot of new faces but has a coach that has figured out what she wants in her program.
First Quarter Notes
The Huskers scored early and often, showing off the pace that Amy Williams has been asking for the past couple seasons. They also showed off their depth as playing time is evenly distributed across the roster of available players. If someone suited up tonight, they have probably seen the floor.
You may be shocked, SHOCKED, to know that Callin Hake drew a charge (no you aren’t).
It is clear that Creighton is a much better defensive team than anyone the Huskers have played thus far. Nebraska has scored at will in their first two games but if fighting for points so far. The major development is that starter Hailey Weaver drew her second foul and had to take a seat – likely for the rest of the half.
A CRAZY heave from way beyond half court by Jess Petrie to beat the buzzer WENT IN!
Nebraska 17 Creighton 9
Second Quarter Notes
Claire Johnson joined the scoring with a three-pointer to give Nebraska their first double-digit lead at 24-14. Points are hard to come by, and that goes for both teams. Amy Williams rolled the dice and put Hailey Weaver back in the game.
Weaver immediately drew her third foul.
Britt Prince leads Nebraska in points (8), rebounds (4) and assists (2). I have often thought she is an ever better athlete than a basketball player (she is a helluva basketball player) and am curious what her upside is (it’s high). Petra Bozan is also showing off athleticism that is uncommon for a center. The Huskers are slowly, but surely, putting distance between them and the Bluejays, forcing a five-minute scoring drought for Creighton.
Britt Prince registers her 10th point as the Huskers finish off a 14-0 run to end the half.
Nebraska 35 Creighton 14
Halftime Nuggets
It’s Britt Prince’s world. We’re all just living in it. She’s got 10 points and seven rebounds so far. The Bluejays have to watch her so closely that they allow passing seams and cracks for other Huskers to exploit.
The Huskers are holding the Bluejays to 16% field goal shooting.
I REPEAT. 16%.
Third Quarter Notes
The Huskers open the half on a 6-2 run and the bench mob GOES WILD! Nebraska extends their lead to 20+ midway through the quarter but Creighton keeps fighting back with the long shot. I don’t know why, but they always seem to hit a much higher % of three-pointers against the Huskers than I would like.
Callin Hake enters the double-digit scoring club (13 pts) with Petrie not far behind (9 points). Britt Prince still leads the team in rebounding (7) to go with her 16 points. The lead continues to grow.
Nebraska 59 Creighton 31
Fourth Quarter Notes
The lead grew to 30 in the first minute of the quarter (63-33 Nebraska).
More stuff happened and DID YOU SEE THOSE NORTHERN LIGHTS???
This quarter feels like it is taking forever. Jess Petrie now has 11 points. Mind you, this came after she took a hard shot and stayed in the game. Claire Johnson decides the fourth quarter is hers and makes it into double-digits. The 10th Husker to play, Neale, enters the game and the Bluejays make a bit of a run to close the deficit to 23 before the Husker regroup and increase it to 36 (84-48).
Final. Nebraska 84 Creighton 50
Stats The Way I Like It
Nebraska won for only the second time in their last 10 attempts against the Bluejays.
Four Huskers scored at a double digit pace; Prince (18), Hake (13), Petrie (11) and Johnson (11). Prince also led the way with seven rebounds.
Creighton generally plays good defense and tonight was no exception. The score may say this was an easy win for Nebraska, but the eye test says that the Huskers have a lot of work to do before conference play. Nebraska won the rebounding battle, but barely, at 39-36.
Creighton commited 25 turnovers compared to 15 for Nebraska.
In the end, the Bluejays shot 29% (15-51) from the field while the Huskers managed to knock down 47% (29-62) of their shots.
Next Game
The Huskers go on the road to take on North Dakota State at the Pentagon in Sioux Falls, SD. The game will be on Sunday, November 16 at noon.
