There was never any real suspense in this game as the Huskers led all the way. Northwestern is a good team and well-coached, but doesn’t have enough firepower to challenge the Huskers. Nebraska got a much-needed conference win to move to 16-5 overall and tie the conference record at 5-5. Northwestern fell to 8-13 and 2-8 respectively. The Huskers were led by Britt Prince with 28 points. Knisley (14), Hack (13) and Hargrove (13) also reached double figures. Hargrove had a double-double with 11 rebounds. Prince is second on the team with six rebounds and leads the team with six assists.
Nebraska shot 53% overall (30-57) while the Wildcats shot 45% (25-55). As a team, the Huskers shot 90 percent (18-20) from the free throw line. They outrebounded Northwestern 37-27, but the Wildcats committed 14 turnovers and turned the ball over 12 times.
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First quarter notes
Jessica Petrie was ill, so Amiah Hargrove joined Britt Prince, Eliza Maupin, Logan Knisley and Karin Haack in the starting lineup. Maupin opened the scoring with a layup assisted by Prince. The basket was quickly answered by the Wildcats. The next two minutes included Prince’s 3-pointer, Hargrove’s block and Hack’s tying run (NEB 7-4). The game continued to be stalemate until the half-quarter timeout (12-10 Neibu). The Huskers played eight games in that span, while the Wildcats stuck with their starters.
Kennady Williams is seeing increased playing time and deservedly so because she works harder than anyone and makes the right decisions. It was obvious that she was the coach’s child.
After a quick score after the timeout, Husker led 16-13. The score lasted two minutes when one of the Wildcats’ starters (Liu) committed his second foul. Ahhhh, and then two other Northwestern players (Turner and Sullivan) committed their second fouls. The Wildcats don’t have a deep rotation and therefore develop a lot. The Huskers worked together to drive to the rim and force Northwestern to defend (22-15 NEB). Emily Fisher picked up Nebraska’s second foul of the game. Kalyn Harker called “Banks” and hit a three-pointer, and then Fisher hit a half-court three-pointer to end the half!
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Nebraska 28 Northwest Territories 17
The Huskers had seven scorers in the first quarter and the Wildcats had three. Britt Prince has scored eight points.
second quarter
Petra Bozan assisted Nissley for a three-pointer at the beginning of this quarter, and then Hake made a long shot of his own (34-18 Neb). Buzan is having a solid game. Another Wildcat (Walton) committed his second foul. Half of Northwestern’s eight rotation players were in early foul trouble (36-18 Neb). The Wildcats edged ahead, cutting an 18-point lead to 11 (36-25 Neb) before Fisher drained a 3-pointer (39-25), which was Liu’s third foul. Sullivan was then called for the Wildcats’ third foul. Only three Wildcats were on the scoreboard, one of whom was on the bench in foul trouble (41-25 Neb).
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The Husker defense relaxed a bit as Northwestern converted several possessions with ease (44-30 Neb). Another Wildcat starter committed his second foul (Rush). Despite foul trouble, the Wildcats closed the gap before halftime.
Nebraska 47 Northwest Territories 36
Prince and Hake led Husker scorers with 10 points each. Nicely had 4 rebounds and Prince had 4 assists. Petra Bozan had three fouls for Nebraska, while Maupin and Fisher had two fouls. The Huskers shot 78% from 3-point range (not a typo; 7-9) and 61% overall (14-23).
Third Quarter Notes
At the beginning of this section, the scoring was even and the number of fouls was reduced. The Wildcats tied the score to 10 points (59-49). An odd sequence that looked like Husker and one were reviewed instead of being deemed a foul on Buzan. Amy Williams expressed her displeasure to officials. The Huskers committed more foul trouble than the Wildcats as Northwestern didn’t get into any more foul trouble. Instead, Buzan and Fisher were whistled four times on the fourth violation (67-55 Neb). At the end of this quarter, Nebraska scored another goal.
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Nebraska 69 Northwest Territories 55
fourth quarter
The Wildcats’ Sullivan picked up his fourth foul but remained on the court. She was unable to defend and the Huskers attacked (73-55 Neb). The lead grew to 20 points (75-55 Neb) with 7:22 left in the game. The foul situation changed dramatically as Maupin picked up his fourth foul (the third Husker to reach that number after Buzan and Fisher). Then the Wildcats (Walton) were whistled for four runs. Nebraska led with just over six minutes remaining (79-57 Nebraska).
Nebraska’s lead dropped to 16 points (81-65) and stayed there for a minute or two. The question now was if anyone would foul… Buzan won the challenge and was disqualified with 3:13 left in the game. Maupin then fouled and left the court at 2 minutes and 16 seconds, leading 83-68. Northwestern pulled within 12 points in the final minute (85-73 Neb). Garbage time ensues.
Notes: Britt Prince is 44-44 from the foul line in conference play.
final. Nebraska 89 Northwestern 73
