Finally a no doubter for Nebraska women’s basketball.
The Huskers (9-5, 7-4 Big Ten) has been in tight games for the better part of a month, whether as the favorite or the underdog. On Thursday, Nebraska got ahead and stayed there in an 84-68 home win over Wisconsin (3-11, 0-11 Big Ten).
Nebraska took over in the first quarter when, down 7-6, the Huskers took off on a 14-4 run to finish the quarter. Usually shooting 46.7 percent for a quarter would be something to celebrate, but that was the worst shooting quarter of the night for the home team.
The Huskers proceeded to shoot 55 percent in the second quarter, 56.3 percent in the third, and 58.3 percent in the fourth to close shooting 54 percent (34-of-63) for the game. That is the best shooting performance since Nebraska shot 50 percent (33-of-66) in the season opener against Oral Roberts.
Defensively, Nebraska held Wisconsin to 34 percent shooting. If the Badgers hadn’t shot 20-of-29 from the free throw line, including 11-of-14 in the fourth quarter alone, the difference would have been even bigger.
Sam Haiby once again dominated on the offensive end. At one point in the first half, Haiby was 7-of-8 from the field for 18 points. She finished with a game-high 24 points.
Four other Huskers reached double figures scoring.
Kate Cain scored 16 points while adding 10 rebounds and six blocked shots. Bella cravens also earned a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, adding three blocked shots.
Annika Stewart and Ruby Porter scored 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Still without Isabelle Bourne and Trinity Brady, recent high school graduate Kendall Coley made her Husker debut as the depth for coach Amy Williams grows. Coley’s only shot was a heat check from the beyond the arc on the very first touch she had in a Nebraska uniform. She saw three minutes of game time.
Nebraska travels to Penn State (5-7, 2-6 Big Ten) next Thursday.
Feature Image by Kenny Larabee