A battle of tempo Thursday night at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Nebraska (9-8, 7-7 Big Ten) prefers to slow the game down. Iowa (11-6, 7-6 Big Ten) wants to go fast.
The game got up and down in a hurry, and Iowa’s strength showed in the 88-81 win in Lincoln.
The Huskers made their first three 3s of the game to hold slight lead early, but the fast pace played into Iowa’s hands. The Hawkeyes used a pair of 7-0 runs to lead by six after the first quarter.
Both teams played even in the second quarter, then Iowa slowly extended the lead in the third, using a 10-0 after the Huskers had closed the gap to two. The Hawkeyes continued to extend into the fourth quarter until they reached a 17 point lead with 5:19 to go.
Then the Husker offense came alive.
Following a pair of MiCole Cayton free throws, Sam Haiby and Ashley Scoggin combined on a trio of 3s as part of a 13-0 run.
Unfortunately for the home team, the freshman star for the visitors ended the run with a 30 footer. The ensuing free throw contest allowed the Hawkeyes to keep Nebraska just far enough away.
Iowa freshman Caitlin Clark dominated the game with 39 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. The scoring output breaks former Nebraska standout Jessica Shepherd’s record for points scored in women’s basketball game in Pinnacle Bank Arena (35, 2015).
The Hawkeyes shot 50.8 percent for the game, including 12-of-24 from 3. They also did well at the line, going 16-of-20.
Nebraska shot 45.5 percent for the game, making 7-of-26 3s. But after the first three 3s went in, the Huskers went 1-of-17 before the final flurry to try and come back.
Haiby led the Huskers with 28 points on 10-of-19 shooting.
Also scoring in double-digits was Isabelle Bourne (16), Bella Cravens (12), and Scoggin (10).
This is the third consecutive loss for the Huskers.
Nebraska hosts No. 9 Maryland (13-2, 9-1 Big Ten) Sunday.
Feature Image by Kenny Larabee