Nebraska WBB 74 Ohio State 80 Recap

A fast-paced game early found Nebraska with a 15 point lead at half. However, the now-familiar second-half woes plagued the Huskers. With the 80-74 overtime loss, Nebraska slipped to 15-7 overall and 5-6 in the Big Ten, while Ohio State improved to 12-9 overall and 5-5 in the league.

First Quarter

Both teams came out firing and three of the first four baskets were treys. The Buckeyes held a 6-5 lead when both teams went in to a bit of a lull. Kate Cain registered a block right away and is now the Nebraska career leader (men or women) in blocked shots. The Huskers took their first lead at 9-8 at 6 minutes but the Buckeyes grabbed it back on the next possession.

At the under-5 timeout, Ohio State held a 15-9 lead.

Leigha Brown entered the game for Nebraska and immediately drove to the rim for a bucket. This game was fast-paced and favoring the Buckeyes until Izzy Bourne hit a three. Nebraska fought back from a five-ish point deficit to stick within one point for most of the rest of the quarter until a buzzer beater three by Hannah Whitish gave Nebraska a 25-23 lead.

Second Quarter

The Huskers opened the quarter on a 5-0 run to take a 25-23 lead, forcing a Buckeye timeout. Nebraska didn’t slow down and took a 12 point lead (41-29) at the under-5 timeout.

Ohio State made a concerted effort to slow the game down and ended up in a five minute scoring drought until both teams traded three-pointers. As the quarter wound under a minute the Huskers were up 47-32. The teams traded baskets to end the second at 49-34.

Third Quarter

The second half started fairly slowly for both teams. Ohio State scored the first three points but then Hannah Whitish was fouled (late shot clock desperation heave) and made three free throws. The game slowed down considerably, but Nebraska especially went cold for a while and the Buckeyes chipped the lead down to nine at the under-5 timeout.

After the timeout, things didn’t improve as the Husker lead was whittled to three points before the Huskers started to find a way to get a few points and ended the quarter up 59-53.

Fourth Quarter

Two Buckeye starters had four fouls but that did not help Nebraska much as they could still not find the basket. Husker players were starting to force things and take bad shots early in the possession. The Buckeyes whittled the lead to two (61-59). Two Husker free throws and an Izzy Bourne turnaround gave Nebraska the six point lead (65-59) at the under-5 timeout.

At 1:42, an OSU steal and layup put the Buckeyes within two at 68-66.

Tie game at 1:00. Yikes.

The Huskers got a couple shots up (with a lot of contact and no calls) but the Buckeyes got the ball back with a chance at the final shot. A trap at half court forced an over-and-back call and Nebraska got the ball back with 4.3 seconds. Leigha Brown’s shot was short (again - no call) and we have overtime.

End of regulation 68-68

Overtime

The teams traded baskets and Ohio State took their first lead since the first quarter. It lasted seconds as Whitish splashed a three to put Nebraska up 73-72. An Izzy Bourne free throw put Nebraska up 74-72 with 2:20 left in OT.

Izzy Bourne has had a great game, but she has uncharacteristically missed a couple of bunnies. Ohio State tied up the game at 74 and then took a lead on a free throw (75-74) with 1:05 left. Then a Buckeye steal resulted in a three to give Ohio State a four point lead 78-74 with 34 seconds.

The Huskers were a mess offensively and ran the clock down to 10 seconds only to see Eliely’s shot blocked. A quick foul sent the Buckeyes to the line. Both free throws were good. 80-74 OSU.

And that was the final score. The Huskers lose another tough one and the schedule only gets harder from here.

Statistics Leaders

Kate Cain notched her fourth double-double of the season - all in the Big Ten - with 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting, while adding 13 rebounds and eight blocked shots. Freshman forward Isabelle Bourne added career highs with 13 points, three blocks and two steals to help the Huskers inside. Senior guard Hannah Whitish added a team-high 16 points to go along with five rebounds and four steals.

The way I see it, Izzy Bourne is making a case to enter the starting lineup in place of Ashtyn Verbeek (no knock on Verbeek - she is an excellent player). I don’t know if Amy Williams will shake things up in order to break the slide Nebraska is in, but it may be an option.

Ohio State also won the turnover battle, 18-14, but the Huskers outscored the Buckeyes 14-11 in points off turnovers for the game.

Nebraska finished the game at 33.3 percent from the field (23-69), but went just 6-for-38 (.158) after halftime. NU went 2-for-13 from three-point range after halftime, after knocking down 6-of-10 threes in the first half to help build a 15-point halftime lead.

Next Game

Nebraska will try to get back on a winning track against nationally ranked Iowa on Thursday. Tip-off between the Huskers and Hawkeyes at Carver-Hawkeye Arena is set for 7 p.m.