Nebraska WBB 62 Rutgers 78 Recap

The average score for a Rutgers - Nebraska women’s basketball game is 57-57. This

First Quarter

Issie Bourne is back in the starting lineup, so Nebraska will be back to three “bigs” with Bourne, Bella Cravens and Kate Cain all playing post (Issie will play some wing). Rutgers scored first (3-0) but Cain answered (assisted by Scoggin) to make the score 3-2 Rutgers. After a Rutgers free throw, Issie Bourne hit a field goal to tie the game at 4-4.

Kate Cain blocked a shot but another Rutgers player cleaned it up to regain the lead (6-4) at 6:24. Rutgers’ half court trap is causing issues for Nebraska. The Knights were in control and held a 10-4 lead at the media timeout.

Things didn’t get better for Nebraska after the timeout as Rutgers continued to play exactly the kind of game they wanted. The Knights’ lead grew to 15-4 before Sam Haiby hit a long range shot (15-7 Rutgers). As the quarter wound down, MiCole Cayton and Annika Stewart each scored for Nebraska, but Rutgers found the basket as well (19-10 Rutgers).

Turnovers by Nebraska gave the Knights even more opportunities. At the end of the first quarter, the score was Rutgers 22 Nebraska 10.

Second Quarter

Issie Bourne opened the quarter with a three-pointer (22-13 Rutgers). The teams both traded baskets fast and furiously but Rutgers maintained a double digit lead (27-16 Rutgers) at 7:58. A Rutgers technical foul gave Ashley Scoggin two free throws (27-18 Rutgers) and the ball back which Cain converted (27-20 Rutgers). The Knights again found some breathing room, extending the lead back out to 12 until Sam Haiby hit a three (32-23 Rutgers) at 5:20. Two of the Rutgers starters each have two fouls. The Huskers need to take advantage of this situation.

Five straight points (Annika Stewart and Ashley Scoggin) but the lead to four (32-28 Rutgers). The Knights answered with two three pointers of their own to reclaim a 10 point lead (38-28 Rutgers) at the media timeout.

Bella Cravens and Annika Stewart each have two fouls. Turnovers continued to plague Nebraska, but Rutgers leads the nation in forcing TO’s.

Whitney Brown made a nifty move to score but it was answered by Rutgers (43-31 Rutgers).

Rutgers 43 Nebraska 31

Rutgers has not played a game in over 30 days and they are taking it to the Huskers right now.

Third Quarter

Rutgers scored first to extend the lead to 45-31 but Sam Haiby was fouled and made her shots (45-33 Rutgers). Nebraska has blocked six shots thus far (two each for Cain and Bourne and one each for Brown and Stewart). Nebraska forced a shot clock violation on Rutgers (Issie Bourne) but 13 turnovers (and counting) are really hurting Nebraska.

Rutgers is playing excellent defense and disruping Nebraska at every turn. At 6:07 the Knights lead grew to 17 (50-33 Rutgers). Nebraska has yet to make a field goal in the second half. After an Amy Williams timeout (the Rutgers full court trap forced it) Nebraska committed a shot clock violation. Just when you think it can’t get worse...

It doesn’t.

The Huskers showed some fight (and switched to zone defense) as they closed within eight points (49-57) behind back to back three pointers and then a layup (Annika Stewart) and then a jumper (Cayton), forcing a Rutgers timeout.

End of third quarter. Rutgers 59 Nebraska 49

Fourth Quarter

The Huskers continued to show some fight, especially Sam Haiby and MiCole Cayton but the margin remained at 10 points (sometimes eight) as the clock went under six minutes (64-54 Rutgers).

The Knights managed a couple of baskets and held a 69-57 lead at the media timeout (4:31).

That was as good as it got for Nebraska as the Knights did nothing but increase the lead.

Final. Rutgers 78 Nebraska 62

Stats and Observations

Three Huskers scored in double figures - Sam Haiby (20), Annika Stewart (12) and Ashley Scoggin (10). Bella Cravens and Isabelle Bourne each pulled down six rebounds. Bourne and Haiby each had three assists (but four turnovers apiece).

Nebraska shot 42% from the field while Rutgers shot 49%. Both teams were good from the three point line with Nebraska hitting 9 of 18 (50%) and Rutgers 8 of 20 (40%). Nebraska outrebounded Rutgers 31-28 but the turnovers were huge as the Huskers committed 19 to 10 for Rutgers.

The Huskers fall to 9-7 overall and 7-6 in the Big Ten.

Next Game

Nebraska will host Iowa on Wednesday, February 10. Tipoff will be at 7:00 pm (central).