The Huskers are now 16-10 and 5-10 in the Big Ten after losing a game 80-67 in a score that is closer than the game felt. It is time to start talking about ‘the bubble’ for Nebraska after their fifth straight loss. Teams have figured out the Huskers’ weaknesses and are exploiting them – namely paint defense and streaky long-range shooting when there is not an inside-out game.
The leading Husker scorers were Prince (13), Maupin (11) and Hargrove (10). Maupin pulled down six rebounds and Hargrove four.
Kennadi Williams had four assists. Nebraska shot 47% (27-58) from the field and 21% (4-19) from long range. In contrast, the Hawkeyes shot 60% (32-53) and 38% (6-16). The Huskers were outrebounded 23-31 but committed two less turnovers than Iowa (18-20).
First Quarter Notes
The starting lineup was the same as previous games – Prince, Hake, Petrie, Hargrove, and Nissley. The Hawkeyes ran out to a 10-2 lead, with two turnovers by Nebraska and Amy Williams was forced to use a timeout two minutes in. Iowa is being aggressive and physical with Britt Prince, something other teams have also been doing, which is why Kennadi Williams has been getting more time. She can run point and allow Prince to move off the ball.
The Huskers tried to get closer to the Hawkeyes but did not come within 10 (20-10 Iowa) for several minutes. Three Hawkeye fouls in the span of 12 seconds put Nebraska into the bonus with 3:12 left in the quarter. It did not benefit the Huskers as they were 0-2 from the free throw line. Amiah Hargrove picked up her second foul in the quarter and went to the bench, likely for the rest of the half. Kennadi Williams grabbed a steal and nearly pulled off the long buzzer beater.
Iowa 25 Nebraska 13
Second Quarter Notes
The Hawkeyes grew their lead by scoring two-for-one against the Huskers in the first two and a half minutes (29-15 Iowa). The lead continued to grow through the mid-quarter timeout (35-20 Iowa). Iowa’s center, Heiden, dominated in the early going with 12 points in the first 15 minutes. Strong post players have been an Achilles heel for the Huskers. Britt Prince also picked up her second foul.
Eliza Maupin stepped up in the middle to lead Nebraska in scoring with seven. The Husker defense needed to step up as well as the Hawkeye field goal shooting was at 68% at this point of the game. Nebraska trailed by 15 (37-22 Iowa) for several minutes. The lead grew to 18 by the end of the quarter.
Iowa 45 Nebraska 27
Iowa’s center, Heiden, dominated the half with 18 points and six rebounds. Nebraska was led by Maupin withe seven and Prince with six points. Both contributed three rebounds to lead the Huskers as well. Iowa is shooting 68% from the field (19-28) while Nebraska shot 44% (12-27).
Third Quarter Notes
The Iowa lead grew to as much as 20 (51-31) before a run by Nebraska (Hake, Williams, and Maupin) cut into the margin (51-39 Iowa). Hargrove picked up her third foul and was replaced by Bozan.
After the mid-quarter timeout, the Hawkeyes quickly grew the lead back to 18 (59-41 Iowa). In the blink of an eye, the lead grew to 23 (65-42 Iowa). Amy Williams used a timeout to remind her team how to inbound the ball and it worked as they grabbed a basket, a steal, and a three-pointer (65-47 Iowa). The Huskers managed to get the margin back to 20 to end the quarter.
Iowa 69 Nebraska 49
Fourth Quarter Notes
The Hawkeyes started the quarter with a seven-point run before a Petrie basket (76-51 Iowa) with seven minutes left. That margin held up until the mid-quarter timeout.
After the break, the Huskers scored six straight by turning Iowa over twice (76-57 Iowa). Garbage time things happened.
Final. Iowa 80 Nebraska 67
Next Game
The Huskers travel to Oregon for a Thursday night tilt with the Ducks. Tipoff is at 8:00 pm central.
