On the third game in three days, the gas ran out for Nebraska women’s basketball’s Big Ten Tournament run.
The No. 6 seed Huskers (24-8) lost to No. 2 seed Iowa (22-7) 83-66 in the conference semifinals. It was the third meeting between the two teams, with all three going for the Hawkeyes.
Nebraska took an early lead, thanks to 11 first quarter points from Issie Bourne. Iowa turned the ball over six times in the opening frame, and despite seven points for Caitlin Clark, the Big Ten Player of the Year was just 2-for-8 from the field.
The second quarter saw Iowa begin to go to a zone, limiting driving opportunities for Nebraska. The result? More 3s being shot for Nebraska, which wasn’t helping the cause as the Huskers went just 1-for-12 from deep in the first half.
A 10-0 Iowa run helped the Hawkeyes take a 38-35 lead into halftime.
Then the gas tank started to run low for Big Red.
Iowa stayed in their zone and continued to limit driving opportunities. Nebraska continued to settle for deep shots that weren’t falling. Meanwhile, on the other end of the floor, Clark and company were heating up.
The Hawkeyes won the third quarter 28-18 and kept the difference at double digits the rest of the way.
Clark finished with 41 points, giving her 103 for the season against Nebraska.
The Huskers shot just 35 percent on the night, finishing just 3-of-26 from 3.
Bourne scored a team-high 16 points, followed by 15 each for Jaz Shelley and Sam Haiby.
Next up for Nebraska is the NCAA Selection Show set for Sunday evening. The Huskers are projected as a No. 6 seed in the latest ESPN Bracketology.