After getting off to an 0-3 start in conference play, the Huskers knocked off the Illinois Fighting Illini 73-57. NU rode big nights from freshman Jessica Shepard and Rachel Theriot en route to their first conference win of the season. Shepard, in an effort likely to garner yet another freshman of the week honor, and perhaps a conference player of the week honors, took charge in the paint, putting up 29 points and collecting 19 rebounds. Theriot added 17 points of her own while distributing 7 assists on the afternoon. Shepard and Theriot were joined in the double-figures club by Natalie Romeo who scored 10 points, thrice hitting from behind the three point line.
The Huskers will look to continue their winning ways when they head to Happy Valley to take on Penn State Wednesday night. Like the Huskers, the Nittany Lions have struggled to start conference play. After picking up a win over Northwestern to open conference play, PSU has lost three straight by an average of more than 15 points.