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This is getting to be a trend, and not a good one. The Husker women play a decent first half only to come out in the third quarter and cannot find the basket.
Last night, Nebraska hit less than 33 percent of its shots from the field, as No. 20 Iowa pulled away in a 76-60 win. While Nebraska struggled to make open shots, Iowa hit 45.2 percent of its attempts from the floor, including 47.4 percent (9-19) from three-point range. The Huskers hit just 8-of-30 threes on the day, and was just 22-of-67 field goals.
Nebraska slipped to 15-8 overall and 5-7 in the Big Ten, while the Hawkeyes improved to 19-4 and 10-2 in the conference.
First Half
Both teams struggled to score early before Iowa scored five straight points, but Nebraska answered with back-to-back three-pointers from Brown and Isabelle Bourne to give the Huskers a 6-5 lead. Iowa regained a 13-9 lead, but Brown scored four points in the final 1:06 of the first quarter to send the teams to the second period tied at 13.
Makenzie Meyer opened the second quarter with a three for Iowa, before the Huskers put together an 8-0 run capped by a Cain layup to give the Huskers a 21-16 lead with 7:02 left in the half. Cain and Brown combined to scored Nebraska’s final 13 points of the half. Iowa took a 35-32 lead to halftime on a three-pointer by Iowa’s Kathleen Doyle with 49 seconds left to close the scoring.
Second Half
Iowa gained control in the third quarter, going 8-for-16 from the field and 2-for-4 from three-point range while hitting all four of its free throws. The Hawkeyes outscored the Huskers 22-13 in the period, as the Big Red went just 5-for-15 from the floor, including 2-for-10 from long range.
Nebraska went to the fourth quarter trailing 57-45 and could not get closer than 10 points the rest of the way.
Statistics Leaders
Husker sophomore Leigha Brown led the Big Red with 20 points off the bench, including 14 in the first half. Senior Hannah Whitish added 14 points and five assists. Kate Cain finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, five blocks and two steals.
The Huskers turned Iowa over 13 times while committing only eight of their own. The Hawkeyes outrebounded Nebraska 47-38. The Huskers committed 20 fouls while the Hawkeyes committed 11. Twenty-three Iowa baskets were assisted compared to 16 for Nebraska.
Next Game
The Huskers return home this Sunday when they host No. 18 Indiana.