Nebraska WBB 72 Minnesota 58 Recap

Nebraska played a very good game (outside of a few crappy turnovers) and frustrated a very good Minnesota squad. Kate Cain has posted double-doubles in each Big Ten game thus far with tonight’s performance adding 19 points, 15 rebounds and 6 blocks.

The other Huskers in double figures included Hannah Whitish with 17 points and Sam Haiby with 17. Leigha Brown added eight points and Nicea Eliely and Ashtyn Verbeek each had 5 points.

The Huskers shot 46% from the field and 50% (WOW) from three point range and out rebounded Minnesota 40-38. Nebraska overcame 16 turnovers (10 for the Gophers) but never really let Minnesota control the game as Nebraska had the lead for 33 ¹⁄₂ minutes of the game.

Great win by the Huskers!! Go Big Red!

First Quarter

In a low-scoring quarter in which both teams found it difficult to establish any kind of rhythm, the Huskers managed to squeeze some points out of Kate Cain (she even hit an 18-footer!) and with a couple of three-pointers from Hannah Whitish. Cain registered two blocks with the first one coming within the first few seconds in the game.

Huskers 13 Minnesota 10

Second Quarter

The Huskers started off with a great run (8-2) on offense which was capped by two blocks in a row by Husker players. One by Nicea Eliely (she blocked a layup - it was awesome) and then Cain denied the Gophers.

The Huskers ran the lead up to 21-12 before Minnesota coach Lindsay Whalen was forced to use a timeout. The Huskers got one more basket before Minnesota responded with a seven point run of their own. Minnesota fought back to make it a 27-24 game before the Huskers made another run and extended the lead back out to 11.

Huskers 35 Minnesota 26

Third Quarter

The Husker offense came out of halftime a bit discombobulated - which is actually pretty normal. They didn’t score until Whitish hit a three at 7:34 in the quarter to make the score 38-30. This kicked off a Husker run that forced Minnesota into a timeout at 43-30. Whitish’s three point shooting has given the Huskers a huge lift in this game.

This Husker team is scrappy and tough. I like them very much.

Nebraska gave up a 6 point run to the Gophers late in the quarter but managed to scrap their way through it.

Huskers 54 Minnesota 44

Fourth Quarter

The Husker defense forced a shot clock violation to open the fourth quarter. The defense has played well for the entire game but Minnesota answered with a four-point play by Destiny Pitts.

Whitish continued her torrid three-point shooting (she was 5 of 8 from long range at this point in the game). Cain really deserves some kudos for her work in this quarter as well. She was hitting the floor, getting fouled and continued to cause issues for the Gophers at every turn.

The Gophers didn’t go away quietly as they forced a 10 second violation on the Huskers in the backcourt and continued to put pressure on Nebraska.

Except when they forgot about Leigha Brown (you know, the leading scorer for Nebraska) when they all turned their backs and she drove in for an easy layup with about a minute and a half left. Then, Minnesota made the poor decision to foul Kate Cain and her shot went in. The Husker defense forced a turnover with a 13 point lead and as the clock read 1:16.

The Gophers started to foul, but quickly gave up on that strategy.

HUSKERS WIN! HUSKERS WIN!

Nebraska 72 Minnesota 58

Helluva game for Kate Cain and a great win for Nebraska.