Nebraska Women’s Basketball vs Indiana: Game Thread

Nebraska Cornhuskers (19-7, 10-3 Big Ten) at Indiana Hoosiers (14-12, 7-6 Big Ten)
Saturday, Feb. 17, 11 a.m. (CT)
Television: BTN/BTN2Go (Mike Monaco, Brenda VanLengen)
Live Radio: Husker Sports Network Matt Coatney (PBP), Jeff Griesch (Analyst); Lincoln - B107.3 FM; Omaha - ESPN 590 AM
Free Live Audio: Huskers.com/Huskers & TuneIn Apps
Live Stats

The Huskers aim for their 11th Big Ten victory of the season, and 11th consecutive road win this year. NU is 9-0 in true road games, including 6-0 in Big Ten road contests. Nebraska is one of only four NCAA Division I teams that is unbeaten in true road games this year joining UConn (11-0), Mercer (11-0) and Mississippi State (7-0). On the men’s side, only Ohio State (5-0) and Saint Mary’s [Calif.] (9-0) are undefeated in true road games this season.

Six of Nebraska’s 10 Big Ten wins have come against NCAA RPI Top 65 teams (through games Feb. 14), including Iowa (21) twice, at Rutgers (26), at Minnesota (40), Purdue (53) and at Michigan State (63). Indiana was RPI 66 through games Feb. 14. Overall, Nebraska has eight top 100 RPI wins, including five on the road.

Nebraska Cornhuskers (19-7, 10-3 Big Ten)
24 - Maddie Simon - 6-2 - Jr. - F - 10.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg
31 - Kate Cain - 6-5 - Fr. - C - 10.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg
3 - Hannah Whitish - 5-9 - So. - G - 12.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg
5 - Nicea Eliely - 6-1 - So. - G - 8.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg
34 - Jasmine Cincore - 5-10 - Sr. - F - 6.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg

Indiana Hoosiers (14-12, 7-6 Big Ten)
11 - Kym Royster - 6-2 - Jr. - F - 11.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg
33 - Amanda Cahill - 6-2 - Sr. - F - 14.8 ppg, 8.2 rpg
1 - Bendu Yeaney - 5-10 - Fr. - G - 7.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg
3 - Tyra Buss - 5-8 - Sr. - G - 19.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg
13 - Jaelynn Penn - 5-10 - Fr. - G - 9.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg

Scouting the Indiana Hoosiers

• Coach Teri Moren brings a surging Hoosier team into Saturday’s game with the Huskers. After opening Big Ten play with a 1-6 record, the Hoosiers have reeled off six straight wins, including Monday night’s 52-44 victory at Purdue to complete a season sweep of the in-state rival Boilermakers.

• During IU’s six-game winning streak, the Hoosiers are averaging 67 points while allowing just 58.1 points per contest. In their previous six league games, the Hoosiers scored 71.2 points and allowed 75.2 points per game.

• The Hoosiers are led by All-Big Ten guard Tyra Buss, who is averaging 19.9 points and 4.7 assists per game. She has added 2.0 steals per contest. The 5-8 senior is shooting 42.8 percent from the field including 34 percent (51-150) from three-point range. An aggressive penetrator, Buss has hit 121-of-178 free throws (.680).

• Buss has joined fellow senior Amanda Cahill, junior Kym Royster and freshman Jaelynn Penn in Indiana’s starting five for all 26 games, while freshman Bendu Yeaney has started 25 contests. Those five players have started all 13 conference games for the Hoosiers.

• Cahill, a 6-2 forward, has added 14.8 points and a team-high 8.2 rebounds per game. The stretch four leads IU from long range, hitting 52-of-130 threes (.400). She ranks second on the team in assists (2.7 apg) and steals (1.2 spg) while leading the Hoosiers with 31 blocks.

• Buss and Cahill form one of the Big Ten’s most productive duos over the past four years, combining for 3,825 points, 1,484 rebounds and 820 assists. In comparison, Nebraska’s entire roster has combined for 3,193 points as Huskers, while adding 1,674 rebounds and 826 assists.

• Kym Royster, a 6-2 junior forward, adds size and athleticism for the Hoosiers. She is contributing 11.3 points and 6.2 rebounds while shooting a team-best 56.6 percent from the floor. Royster has not attempted a three, but she is shooting 67.9 percent (53-78) at the free throw line. Royster has scored more points (293) this year than she scored in her first two seasons in 66 games combined (287). In her career, Royster has 27 assists and 132 turnovers.

• Alongside Indiana’s three veterans are freshmen Jaelynn Penn and Bendu Yeaney. The 5-10 guards have combined to average nearly 17 points and 10 rebounds per game. Penn is a two-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week who is averaging 9.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists. She is IU’s No. 3 three-point shooter (29-93, .312) while shooting a team-best 81.5 percent (53-65) at the line. Yeaney has pitched in 7.4 points and 5.0 rebounds, while adding 2.2 assists. She has hit 19-of-53 (.358) threes.

• While Indiana’s starters have been consistently productive, their bench has been one of the thinnest in the Big Ten. Reserves Linsey Marchese, Bre Wickware, Keyanna Warthen, Alexis Johnson and Grace Withrow have combined for just 46 total points through 13 league games (3.5 ppg).

• In comparison, Nebraska’s seven reserves have combined for 275 points through 13 conference contests (21.2 ppg). In NU’s last six games (5-1), the Husker reserves are averaging 27.2 points per game. In Indiana’s last six games (6-0), the Hoosier reserves have averaged 2.0 points (163-12 total).

Nebraska vs. Indiana Series History

• Nebraska leads the all-time series against the Hoosiers, 5-4, including a 67-64 victory over Indiana on Feb. 19, 2017 - one of NU’s three Big Ten victories last season.