This game looked like it was defense-optional in the opening frame, but it turned into a blow-for-blow heavyweight battle by the end. The Huskers fell to 14-4 (3-4 in the Big Ten) and Michigan State improved to 18-1 (6-1 in the Big Ten). Nebraska was lead by Amiah Hargrove and Britt Prince in scoring with 21 and 16 points respectively. The stats tell of a game that was extremely even, but the one number that stood out is paint points. The Spartans scored 46 compared to Nebraska’s 34.
This Nebraska
team is very different than recent Amy Williams squads. They are still tough and gritty but lack the defense and paint presence of past years. However, they have a level of perimeter offense and defense that offers a new, but somewhat untested path for a Coach Williams team. Their non-conference slate provided easy wins and confidence. Now, they need to find the new formula to get through the rest of the conference schedule and position themselves for the NCAA tournament.
First Quarter Notes
In a poor omen for Husker fans, the game started with a Spartan basket that was too easy after Husker defenders did not communicate well (2-0 MSU). That was followed by a Nebraska turnover. The normally disciplined Huskers fouled MSU star Grace VanSlooten twice in early going and all four free throws were good (6-3 MSU). Nebraska committed four turnovers in the first three minutes as well as four fouls. Callin Hake scored all of the Husker points before the media timeout (11-5 MSU). The only bright spot for Nebraska is that VanSlooten committed a second foul and had to sit down.
Another easy basket for the Spartans, bricks and the seventh turnover for the Huskers marked the next minute. Public Service Announcement – this is NOT the recipe for winning basketball. Hargrove and Nissley became the first non-Hake scorers and the Huskers are fortunate to be down only four (17-13 MU) with two minutes left in the quarter. The Huskers got within three (19-16 MSU) but the Spartans opened a little more daylight with a late layup to end the quarter.
Michigan State 24 Nebraska 19
Second Quarter Notes
The Spartan game plan was to rattle Prince and pressure her into making mistakes – or at least to take her out of the offense. She responded by using her athleticism to stay in motion and make defenders keep up with her (they are not terribly successful).
THE HUSKERS HAVE THEIR FIRST LEAD!! (25-24 Neb).
Petra Bozan was apparently not on the Spartan scouting report as they aren’t watching her that closely. She leads Husker scorers with seven points. A Spartan free throw was the extent of scoring for the next 90 seconds as a 25-25 tie prevailed. The tie continued at the mid-quarter timeout (27-27).
What is the Husker record for turnovers and still winning a game? Asking for a friend just in case this one does go in the “W” column. (The Huskers have committed 11 of them so far.)
Amiah Hargrove is tired of playing from behind as she scored four quick points (31-27 Neb). Michigan State took advantage of more Husker turnovers to retake the lead (34-33 MSU) with a minute left in the half. A TURNOVER FOR YOU! AND A TURNOVER FOR YOU! AND A TURNOVER FOR YOU! Nebraska has 13 of them and even worse, Britt Prince committed her second foul with 28 seconds left.
Michigan State 36 Nebraska 33
Prince leads Husker scorers with nine. Bozan and Hargrove have seven each. Nissley has four assists. No Husker stands out in rebounding (no one has more than two) but the Huskers are outrebounding the Spartans 14-12. Both teams are shooting 50% from the field.
The turnovers are mounting for Nebraska as they have 13 compared to seven for MSU. The Spartans have not capitalized as both teams have eight points off turnovers. Bozan and Hargrove have caught Coach Williams’ eye as they have more minutes than the starters Petrie and Maupin. The Husker bench has outscored the Spartans 16-7. Michigan State has nine fast break points compared to zero for Nebraska.
Third Quarter Notes
Hake drew a charge to open the quarter (her 22nd of the season according to the TV announcers). Each team managed one basket in the first two minutes (38-35 MSU). Prince picked up her third foul and Kennadi Williams replaced her. Michigan State’s VanSlooten picked up her third foul. The Spartan lead grew to nine before a Hargrove three (44-38 MSU). The six-point margin held up to the media timeout (46-40 MSU with two Spartan free throws pending).
Out of the break, the Nebraska offense came alive to tie the game at 47 with 3 1/2 minutes left. Despite having three fouls, Britt Prince fought for rebounds and drew a foul to put the Huskers in the bonus. This advantage proved to be big as Nebraska used their trips to the line to keep pace with the Spartans (53-53). After one play, Britt Prince was in pain, holding her midsection, and the officials went to the monitor to review. It was deemed incidental contact (which appeared to be the correct call).
Michigan State 55 Nebraska 54
Fourth Quarter Notes
The scoring went back and forth for the first minute with each team grabbing a basket (57-56 MSU). Guess who drew ANOTHER charge? I’ll give you three guesses but you should only need one (Hake). Thus far, both teams have a combined 36 assists on 42 made baskets. That is unselfish basketball.
Eliza Maupin picked up her third foul and the Spartans inched ahead of Nebraska (62-58 MSU). Nebraska’s 18th turnover occurred shortly thereafter. OH WAIT, make that 19 turnovers. Sigh. Still, the Spartans did not utilize this advantage as the score stood at 64-62 MSU with a Husker free throw pending at the timeout (Hargrove made the free throw.)
Both teams entered bonus territory immediately after the timeout. The Husker offense came alive to score five points and retake the lead (67-64 Neb) on a sequence that included a Williams reverse layup. MSU closed within one at the under-two minute mark (67-66 Neb). Hargrove scored and that was answered by a Spartan three to tie the game at 69 with a little over a minute to go.
A Prince jumper was answers by Spartan free throws (71-71 tie). With 39 seconds left, Amy Williams took a timeout to advance the ball and talk strategy with her team. The Huskers responded with a turnover with 27 seconds left – the 21st of the game for Nebraska. In crunch time, Hargrove, Williams, Hagrove, Hake and Petrie are on the floor for Nebraska. MSU called two consecutive timeouts to talk strategy. The Spartans held for the final shot, missed but were fouled with five seconds left. Sparty made both to lead 73-71.
Nebraska called a timeout to advance the ball. Two Husker inbound plays were thwarted to preserve the win for the Spartans.
Final. Michigan State 73 Nebraska 71
Next Game
The Huskers take on Wisconsin on Wednesday, January 21 in Madison. Tipoff is at 6:30 pm (central)
