Nebraska WBB vs Michigan State Recap

The Huskers are looking to continue their excellent defensive play as they visit the Spartans in East Lansing. Michigan State is ranked #23 and possesses another high-flying offense (this is the third or fourth team in a row that Nebraska has face that averaged over 80 points per game).

First Quarter

Kate Cain picked up her first foul 17 seconds into the game which led to the Spartans scoring first when they made one free throw. Sam Haiby followed with a layup to give Nebraska their first lead (2-1). The teams traded three-pointers (Ashley Scoggin for Nebraska) before the Spartans grabbed a 6-5 lead at 7:24. The scoring continued to go back and forth and at the media timeout, Nebraska led by one (12-11).

The score stayed there for a while until Ashley Scoggin scored her 7th point of the quarter. Some Issie Bourne scoring gave Nebraska a six point lead (17-11) with 2:50 left. The Spartans made up some ground and the quarter ended with Nebraska 20 Michigan State 16.

Ashley Scoggin has seven points thus far and Sam Haiby is rebounding extremely well.

Second Quarter

A three-pointer by Ruby Porter and layup by Kate Cain gave Nebraska a nine-point lead (25-16) at the 8:30 mark. The Husker defense is absolutely stifling a very good Spartan team. The scores went back and forth with Michigan State getting a little closer and the Huskers answering by reclaiming their nine-point advantage. The big story of the quarter was in Kate Cain and Ashley Scoggin both picking up their second fouls - which is going to limit their time on the floor the rest of the half.

The rest of the team managed to hold on and Nebraska leads at the half 39-30.

Third Quarter

The Husker lead evaporated behind turnovers and short shots. For as well as the game was going for Nebraska in the first two quarter, the third frame was a disaster offensively. The Spartans went on a 8-0 run to cut the Husker lead to one (39-38) before Nebraska finally scored (Bella Cravens) at the 6:42 mark. The Spartans worked themselves into a small lead (44-43) at 5:28 and maintained that margin through the end of the quarter.

Michigan State 48 Nebraska 47

Short shots usually mean a team is tired and the Huskers had a lot of those.

Fourth Quarter

The Spartans scored first to increase their lead to three (50-47). Issie Bourne caught a pass from Sam Haiby to bring Nebraska back within one. Sammy Haiby pulled down her 10th rebound but the Huskers missed two point blank shots before giving up a three-pointer to the Spartans (53-49). Two free throws by Kate Cain were answered by another MSU three to give the Spartans their biggest lead of the game (five points).

Ruby Porter drained a long range shot for Nebraska to get back within two (56-54) before MSU scored on a layup (58-54). The score stayed there for a couple of minutes until the Huskers went on a four point run (Bella Cravens and Kate Cain) to tie the game with 4:52 left in the game.

After the timeout, Issie Bourne gave the Huskers the lead at 60-58. Bella Cravens registered her third block of the game. MSU’s outstanding guard, Nia Clouden picked up her fourth foul and Sam Haiby earned an old-fashioned three point play and now has a double-double (10 points; 12 rebounds). Bella Cravens then picked up her fourth foul. The Husker defense has kept the Spartans scoreless for over four minutes.

The scoreless streak was broken as the teams traded baskets, with the Huskers maintaining a 65-62 lead at 2:10. The score stayed there until 44 seconds when Michigan State started to foul to put Nebraska at the line. Sam Haiby made one free throw at 27 seconds (66-62 Husker lead). After a wild sequence in which Nebraska came down with a big defensive rebound, Ashley Scoggin made a free throw to give Nebraska the 67-62 lead with 20 seconds. MSU’s Cloudin fouled out.

Disaster struck for Nebraska as Issie Bourne went down in a great deal of pain (ankle) with 18 seconds left. She was carried to the locker room. MSU grabbed a layup to get within three (67-64) with 14 seconds left. Bella Cravens missed two free throws but Kate Cain registered a HUGE block and the Huskers got the ball back with 2.8 seconds. Whitney Brown made the first free throw but committed a lane violation on the second. The last-second heave by MSU was no good.

FINAL - Nebraska 68 Michigan State 64

Stats

Isabelle Bourne and Sam Haiby were the Huskers scoring in double figures with 18 and 11 points respectively. Bella Cravens and Ruby Porter each contributed nine points.

Sam Haiby led the team in rebounding with 12 (this is her first career double-double). Bella Cravens pulled down nine and Issie Bourne seven rebounds.

The Huskers blocked six shots - three by Cravens, two by Cain and one by Bourne.

Ashley Scoggin and Sam Haiby each had four assists.

The Husker defense was again magnificent, holding MSU to 38.5% shooting from the field and 20% from the three point line. The Huskers shot 43% from the field and 40% from the three point line.

Next Game

Saturday, January 16, 2021 vs Ohio State. Tipoff will be 4:00 pm central. The game will be televised on BTN.