Nebraska WBB vs Iowa Game Thread

Nebraska Cornhuskers (7-6, 2-0 Big Ten) at 19/20 Iowa Hawkeyes (9-3, 0-1 Big Ten)

Thursday, January 3, 2019, 7 p.m. (CT)
Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,400) - Iowa City, Iowa

Live Video: BTN Plus
Live Radio: Husker Sports Network (6:45 p.m.) Matt Coatney (PBP), Jeff Griesch (Analyst); Lincoln-B107.3 FM; Omaha-ESPN 590 AM; Lexington-KRVN 880 AM
Huskers.com, Huskers App, TuneIn

This should be a high-scoring game with both teams among the conference best at scoring points and in the conference basement in scoring defense. Iowa’s Megan Gustafson is an All-American who is averaging 27 points a game. She was named the preseason Big Ten player of the year and gives Iowa a formidable presence in the paint. The Hawkeyes also have an All Big Ten point guard in Kathleen Doyle.

The Huskers have relied on a balanced scoring attack, in which the bench almost always outscores the other team by a significant margin. The Huskers have shown signs of improved defense, but are not consistent enough on that side of the ball, yet. In the past two games, Nice Eliely has emerged in the second half to carry to the Huskers to victory. The fabulous freshman four have continued to contribute in a big way. While all four appear to be blunt force instruments at times (what freshman doesn’t look like that?) they are growing up fast in a rugged Big Ten.

The Huskers swept the Hawkeyes last season (two games) but Iowa holds a significant advantage in experience (as well as being on their home court). Whichever team steps up and plays better defense is likely to emerge with the ‘W’.

Nebraska Cornhuskers (7-6, 2-0 Big Ten)
24 - Maddie Simon - 6-2 - Sr. - F - 8.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg
31 - Kate Cain - 6-5 - So. - C - 8.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg
3 - Hannah Whitish - 5-9 - Jr. - G - 8.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg
5 - Nicea Eliely - 6-1 - Jr. - G - 8.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg
33 - Taylor Kissinger - 6-1 - So. - G - 9.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg

Off the Bench

4 - Sam Haiby - 5-9 - Fr. - G - 10.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg
32 - Leigha Brown - 6-1 - Fr. - F - 9.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg
13 - Ashtyn Veerbeek - 6-2 - Fr. - F - 8.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg
44 - Kayla Mershon - 6-3 - Fr. - F - 2.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg
14 - Grace Mitchell - 6-2 - Jr. - F - 1.4 ppg, 1.5 rpg
11(out) - Kristian Hudson - 5-5 - Sr. - G - 2.4 ppg, 1.6 rpg

Head Coach: Amy Williams (Nebraska, 1998) Third Season at Nebraska (35-39); 12th Season Overall (228-148)

No. 19/20 Iowa Hawkeyes (9-3, 0-1 Big Ten)
21 - Hannah Stewart - 6-2 - Sr. - F - 12.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg
10 - Megan Gustafson - 6-3 - Sr. - F - 26.8 ppg, 12.6 rpg
3 - Mackenzie Meyer - 5-9 - Jr. - G - 10.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg
11 - Tania Davis - 5-3 - Sr. - G - 11.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg
22 - Kathleen Doyle - 5-9 - Jr. - G - 12.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg

Off the Bench
5 - Alexis Sevillian - 5-5 - So. - G - 7.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg
43 - Amanda Ollinger - 6-1 - Jr. - F - 3.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg
25 - Monika Czinano - 6-3 - Fr. - F/C - 3.7 ppg, 1.8 rpg
24 - Zion Sanders - 5-8 - So. - G - 2.7 ppg, 1.6 rpg
1 - Tomi Taiwo - 5-10 - Fr. - G - 1.5 ppg, 1.0 rpg
23 - Logan Cook - 6-1 - Fr. - F - 1.0 ppg, 1.3 rpg
31 - Paula Valino Ramos - 6-3 - So. - F/C - 0.0 ppg, 1.3 rpg

Head Coach: Lisa Bluder (Northern Iowa, 1983) 19th Season at Iowa (376-213); 35th Season Overall (732-355)