Nebraska WBB 69 Maryland 87 Recap

The Huskers dropped an 87-69 decision at No. 20 Maryland at the Xfinity Center. With the loss, Nebraska slipped to 13-4 overall on the season and 3-3 in the Big Ten, while the Terrapins improved to 13-4 and 4-2 in the conference.

First Quarter

Nicea Eliely broke the seal with a shot that went in as the shot clock buzzed and followed it with a three pointer to score the first five Husker points. The Huskers went on a tear with Haiby and Cain adding another five points to give Nebraska a 10-4 lead.

Maryland fought back and tied the game up at 12 and then broke it open to take a 24-14 lead. The Terps shot 71% from the field (yikes).

End of first Q - Maryland 26 Nebraska 17

Second Quarter

The first three minutes were back-and-forth but Maryland’s lead began to creep upward into double digits until Hannah Whitish decided to take control and swished back-to-back there pointers to cut the lead to 32-25.

Hannah Whitish was whistled for her second foul and sat down on the bench. Maryland was making life difficult in the paint for the Huskers as most points were coming from outside.

Halftime - Maryland 43 Nebraska 34

Third Quarter

The Terrapins continued to maintain a 10-ish point lead through most of the quarter. Somehow Maryland was coming up with all the contested rebounds and outworking the Huskers on the glass.

Nebraska closed the quarter strong and cut the lead to six.

Maryland 61 Nebraska 55

Fourth Quarter

This is the second straight game that a Husker opponent has shut down Big Cain. Kate was visibly frustrated in this one. The Terrapins extended their lead back out to 10...and then 12 with 5:03 left in the quarter.

The lead continued to grow and reached the 15...and then 18...

Final Maryland 87 Nebraska 69

Statistics Leaders

Nicea Eliely tied her career high with 19 points and Leigha Brown added 19 of her own off the bench. Senior Hannah Whitish put three Huskers in double figures with 10 points, including a trio of three-pointers. Nebraska’s hot shooting from outside continued with 9-for-19 shooting as a team from three-point range. For the game, Nebraska hit 42.6 percent (23-54) of its shots from the field overall and 14-of-19 free throws. Nebraska also won the battle of the boards against the Big Ten’s top rebounding team, 37-31.

Next Game

Another tough one awaits the Huskers. Nebraska returns home for the first time in 10 days when they host to Michigan on Sunday. Tip-off between the Huskers and Wolverines at Pinnacle Bank Arena is set for 4 p.m. The game will be televised by the Big Ten Network.