Nebraska WBB Gets Season Sweep vs Ranked Northwestern 71-64

Ruby Porter drew the start tonight again in place of Bella Cravens. I’m unsure if this has something to do with Cravens’ ankle being rolled a couple games ago or if Porter has outperformed Cravens in practice.

The starters: Isabelle Bourne, Kate Cain, Sam Haiby, Ruby Porter and Ashley Scoggin.

First Quarter

KATE CAIN NOW HAS 1000 POINTS IN HER HUSKER CAREER!! Congratulations! The Huskers lead 2-0.

That was about the only good thing for Nebraska in that quarter as they committed 11 turnovers. Yes, you read that right. I’m not sure, but I believe 11 turnovers in a single quarter is, in statistical parlance, a “shit ton”.

Not only is Nebraska turning the ball over, but they can’t make even simple shots.

At the end of the first quarter, Northwestern 19 Nebraska 9

Second Quarter

The first half of the second frame did not go much better, although Nebraska cut the turnovers down (only one TO in the first five minutes). They continued to miss shots and play tentative defense. Issie Bourne has been the best Husker on both ends of the floor with eight points and seven rebounds thus far.

Out of the media timeout, the Huskers got two free throws from Kate Cain and a three pointer from Ruby Porter to close within six (27-21 NW). The teams traded baskets after that, with freshman Kendall Coley getting a stat (defensive rebound).

The Wildcats forced another turnover and then got a layup to extend their lead to eight (31-23 NW). After a Bourne free throw, the Wildcats got the final possession and final points of the half.

Northwestern 33 Nebraska 24

Issie Bourne has nine points and Kate Cain has eight (no other Husker has more than three). Issie also has eight rebounds to Sam Haiby’s four. Cain and Annika Stewart have each blocked two shots and Bourne one. Haiby has three assists.

Third Quarter

The Huskers got the first points of the half with a Cain layup (33-26 NW). Cain followed that with another layup (33-28 NW). When the Huskers don’t telegraph their passes inside (and use head fakes and pass fakes), they have some easy shots available down low.

The Huskers continued to find the low block as Issie Bourne hit a layup (33-30 NW). The Wildcats finally scored at the 6:05 mark (35-30 NW) but Ashley Scoggin answered right back with a three (35-33). The Wildcats got a basket to make the score 37-33 (NW) at the media timeout. Kate Cain may have gotten hit in the face (possibly a collision with another Husker).

Current turnover count: Nebraska 20 Northwestern 2

The Wildcats hit a basket but it was answered by an Anni Stewart three (36-39 NW). The final two minutes of the quarter shaped up to be much better for Nebraska as they pulled within two (38-40 NW) at 1:51.

THE GAME IS TIED!! Ashley Scoggin hit a screen and roll (40-40).

Of note: Bella Cravens has not entered the game at all tonight. I am really unsure what is going on there.

The Wildcats scored a quick four points to take back the lead 44-40 to end the third quarter.

Current turnover count: Nebraska 24 Northwestern 3

Fourth Quarter

Nebraska scored first on a basket by Kate Cain (44-42 NW).

HUSKERS TAKE THE LEAD!!! An Issie Bourne three gave them a 45-44 advantage. Ashley Scoggin (assisted by Cain) decided to add to the margin (48-44 Nebraska) at 8:07. Timeout Wildcats.

It is now Northwestern’s turn to miss layups, unfortunately the Huskers are not hitting their shots either. After a terrible foul call on Bourne (how does one get called for the foul when they are hit in the face and pulled down on a rebound?) the Wildcats pulled within two (48-46 Neb) at 6:52.

Ruby Porter hit a big three pointer to increase the margin to five (51-46 Neb) at 5:51. After a defensive stop, Bourne got two free throws (53-46 Neb). Another defensive stop led to a Cain basket (55-46 Neb).

The Wildcats hit a three (55-49 Neb) and Bourne gathered a layup (57-49 Neb) to score her 19th and 20th points (plus 15 rebounds at this point) at 4:16. The Huskers committed their fourth team foul and the Wildcats will likely try to attack and get to the line the rest of the way.

They took advantage as two free throws closed the margin (57-51 Neb) at 3:26. After both teams dug in on defense, Sam Haiby made it to the rim for an old fashioned three point play (60-51 Neb) at 1:59. The Wildcats answered with a pull up (60-53 Neb) and a timeout.

After a Haiby offensive foul call (bullshit) the Wildcats got another jumper (60-55) at 1:26. The press caused the Huskers to take a timeout. Ruby Porter was fouled and hit her free throws (62-55 Neb) with 1:26. The Wildcats have now committed enough fould to put Nebraska in the bonus the rest of the way.

Sam Haiby committed a foul and the Wildcats hit their free throws (62-57 Neb) at 1:18. After another turnover (held ball) because of the press, the Wildcats got another possession. A ball over the backboard gave the Huskers possession with 1:04. OR NOT?!!! Somehow, the refs awarded the ball to the Wildcats.

BLOCK BY BOURNE!! And she was fouled and made one (63-57 Neb) and the Wildcats hit a quick jumper (63-59) with 37 seconds left. Amy Williams took a timeout to advance the ball and avoid the press.

A Wildcat fouled out to put Kate Cain at the line before any time went off the clock. Cain hit both (65-59 Neb). Two free throws by Northwester (Haiby) made it (65-61 Neb) with 29 seconds. Amy Williams used her final timeout to advance the ball.

An intentional foul was called and that sent Ashley Scoggin went to the line and hit both shots (67-61 Neb) with 32 seconds. Because of the intentional foul, Nebraska got the possession back and Cain was fouled. She hit both with 24 seconds (69-61 Neb).

Garbage time.

Wildcat three pointer, followed by Cain free throws made up the final score.

Final. Nebraska 71 Northwestern 64

Stats and Observations

In my preview, I told you that I didn’t know which Nebraska team we’d get in this one. The lockdown defense, score-just-enough-to-squeak-out-a-win team or the one that strayed from their defensive identity and scored more points, but still lost.

I guess the answer is both?!?

The Huskers were down by 14 at one point.

They lost the turnover battle 28-4.

However, the outrebounded the Wildcats 52-33, hit over 80% of their free throws (and shot nearly twice as many free throws as the Wildcats), and shot 41% from the field (and the three point line) compared to Northwestern’s 32% from the field (and 20% from the three point line).

KATE CAIN WAS PERFECT FROM THE FIELD. She hit 7-7 and 8-8 on free throws for a total of 22 points (to go with eight rebounds, two blocks and three assists). Issie Bourne had 21 points, 17 rebounds, two blocks and two assists (WOW!). Ashley Scoggin rounded out the Huskers scoring in double digits with 10 points (and five rebounds).

Sam Haiby was 1-12 from the field and 0-3 from the three point line. She finished with five points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

Next Game

The Huskers host Penn State on Sunday. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:00 pm (central).