Nebraska WBB 62 Michigan 64: Recap

Sorry I didn’t get a game thread put together I got my days mixed up.

The Huskers face yet another ranked team in the #15 Michigan Wolverines who are undefeated to this point. The Wolverine’s second leading scorer, former Husker Leigha Brown, is out due to COVID protocols.

First Quarter

It only took 17 seconds for Michigan to find the basket as they took the early lead. Both teams got sloppy and committed multiple turnovers and Nebraska finally got on the board (Kate Cain) to tie the game two minutes in.

Both teams traded three-pointers (Sam Haiby for Nebraska) to tie the game at 5-5. Naz Hillmon for Michigan and Sam Haiby for the Huskers are both carrying their respective teams in the scoring department early. The Huskers took their first lead (10-9) at 5:19 in the first quarter.

The Wolverines then went on a six point run to go up by five points (15-10) at 3:45. The Huskers clawed back within one point behind Bella Cravens and Kate Cain baskets and then the game was tied up again at 17 at 2:35. The Wolverines went up by five until Sam Haiby (who else?) hit a buzzer beating layup.

Michigan 22 Nebraska 19

Second Quarter

It took until 8:30 before either team found the basket when Sam Haiby pulled Nebraska within one (22-21). Naz Hillmon for Michigan continues to score often but overall the Husker defense is playing really well.

The game was tied at 24-24 at 6:26 - both defenses are stepping up. Nebraska took a 26-24 lead (Kate Cain) but Michigan took it back with a three-pointer. The teams traded leads for the next few minutes until the game was again tied up (31-31) at 2:21. The Wolverines went up 34-31 before the Huskers scored the final four points of the quarter.

Sam Haiby has 19 points at the half, and Cain has eight. Haiby also has six rebounds and two assists. Issie Bourne is having an uncharacteristically tough game with two points and three turnovers at half.

Nebraska 35 Michigan 34

Third Quarter

Issie Bourne struck first for the Husker to give Nebraska a 37-34 lead. Kate Cain registered a block early in the quarter, but then picked up her third foul on the next shot. Annika Stewart came in for her.

Bella Cravens is playing some really tough defense on one of the best players in the nation (Hillmon). Anni Stewart picked up her third foul as the shot clock was expiring but then hit a nice mid range jumper on the next Husker possession.

At the six minute mark, the game is tied at 41-41. Michigan is having a tough time shooting free throws (7 of 15). Michigan is already in the bonus halfway through the third quarter as the Huskers are in a bit of foul trouble (Cain and Stewart each have three, Bourne, Cravens and Haiby each have two). The only Husker that hasn’t fouled is Ashley Scoggin.

At the media timeout, Michigan holds a two point lead at 43-41. Michigan is outrebounding the Huskers by 15. Fortunately, the Huskers are holding them to 36% shooting from the field.

Issie Bourne blocked a shot right after the timeout. Kate Cain picked up her fourth foul and had to leave the game. One of the Husker coaches was called for a technical foul. Michigan continues to pull down offensive rebounds and get second-chance points. The Wolverines extended their lead to seven (48-41) at the 2:35 mark. The Husker scoring drought is nearly four minutes. Sam Haiby picked up her third foul.

The Wolverines extended their lead to nine (50-41) until Sam Haiby finally broke the Husker scoring drought but Michigan answered right back (52-43). The Wolverines held for the final shot of the quarter, but missed.

Michigan 52 Nebraska 43

Fourth Quarter

Kate Cain starts the quarter despite having four fouls. Ashley Scoggin is 0-4 from the field (all three-pointers). If she can hit one or two this quarter, it would make a big difference for the Huskers. Cain hit two free throws to open scoring for the quarter (52-45) to put her in double figures in scoring but Michigan answered quickly (54-45) at the seven minute mark.

The teams traded baskets for two minutes. Ashley Scoggin got on the board with a give and go layup. Michigan’s All-American, Naz Hillmon, is unstoppable. She has 33 points and 18 rebounds (and counting). The score is 58-49 in Michigan’s favor with 5:02 left in the game.

Nebraska is 2-16 from three point range, but Michigan is equally miserable at 3-18 from downtown.

The Wolverines opened up an 11 point lead, but Bourne hit a three to bring the Huskers back within eight (60-52).

Naz Hillmon recorded her 20th rebound, the only time Nebraska has ever given up a 30 point 20 rebound game to a player in the NCAA era (the Huskers allowed it before they were an NCAA program). Issie Bourne hit a jumper to cut the lead to six as the clock went under two minutes. Haiby heroics (steal and score) cut the lead to four (60-56) Haiby now had 25 points.

Bella Cravens cut the lead to two!!! 60-58 with 59 seconds. THIS IS A BALLGAME FOLKS!

Naz Hillmon hit her 35th point to extend the lead back out to four. Haiby hit a layup to bring it back to 62-60 with 15 seconds left in the game. The Huskers need to foul four times before Michigan goes to the free throw line. It took to the nine second mark before the Huskers put the Wolverines at the free throw line. Both free throws were good to give Michigan a 64-60 lead.

Kate Cain hit a basket with two seconds left. The Huskers got a quick steal (Whitney Brown) and Bella Cravens halfcourt heave was short.

Final. Michigan 64 Nebraska 62

Statistics

The Huskers were outrebounded 59-32. Ouch. Those rebounds led to a 24-5 Wolverine advantage in second chance points. Nebraska shot 41% (25 of 61) from the field and 90% from the free throw line (9 of 10).

The Huskers held the Wolverines to their lowest scoring total (their previous low was 76) of the season. Michigan shot 32% (24 of 74) from the field and 54% from the free throw line 13 of 24). Michigan is the top field goal % team in the country. Their previous worst shooting % of the season was 46%. The Husker defense was stifling, even if they got outrebounded.

Sam Haiby had 27 points, Kate Cain 12 and Bella Cravens 10. Those three also led in the rebounding department with 9 for Haiby and six apiece for Cain and Cravens.

Next Game

The Huskers will travel to #23 Michigan State on Sunday. Tipoff will be at 2:00 pm central.