Huskers Storm Past Illinois State
Lincoln - Petra Bozan scored 14 points to lead four Huskers in double figures, as No. 24 Nebraska remained unbeaten with a dominant 85-44 win over Illinois State on Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Bozan, who added six rebounds and a career-high-tying three blocks, was joined in double figures by Britt Prince (13), Amiah Hargrove (11) and Eliza Maupin (11) to help the Huskers improve to 11-0 by scoring 80 or more points for the school-record 11th consecutive game.
While Nebraska's offense continued to operate with efficiency against a stingy Redbird defense that had not allowed an opponent to score 80 points on the season, the Big Red defense was tremendous.
The Huskers held Illinois State (5-6) to just two points in the first period - the fewest ever allowed by the Big Red in an opening quarter - as the Huskers ran to a 21-2 lead.
Hargrove led the Huskers with seven off the bench in the quarter, while Prince added four points, and Logan Nissley and Kennadi Williams pitched in three-pointers for the Big Red in the period.
Nebraska kept the lead at 40-21 at halftime thanks to seven second-quarter points from Maupin and six from Callin Hake.
Hargrove led the Huskers with nine points and three rebounds in the half, while Maupin added seven and Hake six. Nebraska hit 17-of-32 shots from the floor (.531), including 4-of-11 threes (.364), while outworking Illinois State 21-16 on the glass. The Huskers also won the first-half turnover battle, 9-6.
Nebraska held Illinois State to just 25 percent (7-28) shooting in the half, including 1-of-6 from long range. Addison Martin led ISU with six points while Kya Hurt and Trista Fayta added five points apiece.
The Huskers extended the margin to 62-35 after three periods by outscoring the Redbirds, 22-14, before a dominant 23-9 fourth quarter sealed the 41-point win for Nebraska.
Prince was outstanding throughout the game, matching Bozan with a team-high six rebounds while leading NU with six assists and no turnovers. The 5-11 point guard from Omaha added a steal and a blocked shot.
Hargrove and Maupin each added five rebounds and a block to their 11 points apiece, while Jessica Petrie, Claire Johnson and Williams each contributed seven points. Hake also contributed six points and five assists.
For the game, Nebraska hit 52.9 percent (37-70) of its shots, including 6-of-20 threes, while connecting on 5-of-6 free throws. The Huskers won the battle of the boards, 42-30, and dominated the turnover department, 20-10.
Nebraska held Illinois State to just 29.6 percent (16-54) shooting, including 1-of-10 threes. The Redbirds did hit 11-of-13 free throws.
Hurt led ISU with 18 points, while Martin added 12 points and five rebounds. Lincoln native Doneelah Washington led all players with nine rebounds and five blocked shots but was held scoreless by the Big Red.
Nebraska will take the week off from competition to complete final exams before closing non-conference action against Cal Baptist. Tip-off between the Huskers and Lancers next Sunday (Dec. 21) at Pinnacle Bank Arena is set for 11 a.m. (CT) as part of a men's and women's basketball double-header. The unbeaten and nationally ranked Husker men's team will face North Dakota at 7 p.m.