Nebraska WBB 90 Oral Roberts 61 Recap

I expected Kenzie Helms to be a starter based on the information sent out by the athletic department but transfer player Ashley Scoggin is in the lineup instead. Scoggin will likely be the point guard as well as being a great shooter (hitting 40% of her threes and 95% of her free throws in junior college).

Oral Roberts’ best player Keni Jo Lippe, is not available due to a sprained ankle.

First Quarter

The Huskers controlled the tip and Izzy Bourne was fouled early but missed both free throws. Oral Roberts took the early lead with a three-pointer and threw another one in quickly to take 6-2 lead. Trinity Brady earned an old-fashioned three point play to bring the Huskers within one at 6-5.

The Huskers defense was very discombobulated and gave up points on two possessions to ORU to go down 11-5. Haiby answered with the first three-pointer for NU.

That sparked an 11-0 run for the Huskers. Kenzie Helms and Bella Cravens are the first Huskers off the bench. Helms had a facemask due to a broken nose in practice. At the media timeout, the score was Nebraska 16 and ORU 13.

Oral Roberts tied the game at 16 as the Huskers again looked rusty on offense (turnovers). The freshman forward Annika Stewart entered the game as well as Ruby Porter - the “other” Aussie on the team (Izzy Bourne). The rest of the quarter went back and forth and the Huskers went down by two before Cain tied the game at the end of the quarter to score her 9th and 10th points.

Nebraska 22 ORU 22

Second Quarter

The Huskers scored six straight points to open the quarter, but ORU finally found some offense to get on the board. Free throw shooting is an issue for the Huskers as they have only gone three of seven so far.

Both teams went quiet on offense and the score stayed at Nebraska 29 ORU 26 for a while until Kenzie Helms found Annika Stewart to break the drought. Freshman Whitney Brown came into the game for Nebraska - she’s a Nebraska native who is probably feeling exceptionally happy to be on the floor for the Huskers. At the timeout, the Huskers are clinging to a 33-29 lead.

MiCole Cayton and Nailah Dillard are the only Huskers that haven’t entered the game yet. I’m not sure what is going on there, but will try to find out.

The Husker offense went to work and opened up a 39-32 lead, forcing ORU to take a timeout. The TO did no good as the Huskers extended their lead to 10 at 45-35. Nebraska is shooting a blistering five of eight from three point land.

Kate Cain registered her first block and the half ended.

Nebraska 45 ORU 35

I may have underestimated Trinity Brady as an offensive contributor. I am extremely happy to see that. If she can score points in addition to being a defensive wall, Nebraska will be better.

Third Quarter

The Huskers opened the quarter with a four point run and both teams stayed at 49-35 for an extended time. The Huskers finally broke through with some offense and Sam Haiby became the third Husker to score in double figures for the night as Nebraska took a 57 - 37 lead with five and a half minutes left in the quarter. Several of the Husker newcomers are looking good. Whitney Brown has three steals and Annika Stewart is playing really well on both ends of the floor and has started her Huskers career five for five with 13 points from the field. The score at the under-five timeout is Nebraska 58 ORU 41.

Another scoring drought for both teams ensued at 61-46 until Cain claimed her first basket in the second half and sparked a Husker run that took Nebraska up 69-46.

End of Third. Nebraska 71 ORU 48

Fourth Quarter

Nebraska has five players in double figures (Brady, Cain, Bourne, Haiby and Stewart) as the Huskers opened up a 79-53 lead with seven minutes left in the final quarter. The Huskers are continuing to show great balance on offense and defense as they held onto the 26 point lead (82-56) as the clock went under four minutes.

Garbage time...

Final.

Nebraska 90 ORU 61

The Huskers had six players in double figures. This was a very balanced Nebraska attack.

Kate Cain also padded her stats with six SIX SIX shot blocks.

Postgame Press Conference Notes

Coach Williams said she expects this kind of balanced offensive attack to remain the team identity throughout the season. She also wants to see rebounding be a hallmark.

I asked about the status of the two players we did not see tonight - MiCole Cayton and Nailah Dillard. I was told that Cayton is progressing but that Dillard it out for the time being.

Next Game

The next game for Nebraska will be on Sunday, December 6 vs Idaho State.

Nebraska forward Isabelle Bourne will get to play against her sister (freshman guard Callie Bourne). Being so far away from home, I would have to imagine it will be a special time for the sisters to see each other, even if they are competing.