 Romeo |  Theriot |  Shepard |
-----------------------------
1 2 total
Northwestern (14) 45 40 85
NEBRASKA (NR) 23 39 62
----------------------------- | ||
The Huskers slipped to 9-4 on the season with all four losses to top-25 opponents, including three on the road. Nebraska slipped to 0-2 in the Big Ten. Northwestern improved to 12-2 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten.
Nebraska went just 10-for-37 (.270) from the floor in the first half, including 1-for-7 from three-point range in the opening half, as Northwestern raced to a 45-23 halftime lead. The Wildcats went 18-of-44 from the floor in the opening period, including a sizzling 6-for-13 from long range.
After getting the first two points of the game from Allie Havers, Nebraska watched Northwestern go on a 17-0 run, and the Big Red were never able to recover.
The Huskers rallied in the third quarter, outscoring Northwestern 22-16 and at one point cutting the Wildcat edge to 14, but the Big Red could get no closer in the loss.
Natalie Romeo scored 12 of her team-high 17 points in the second half, while Rachel Theriot added 13 points, five rebounds and four assists. Jessica Shepard notched her fifth double-double of the year with 12 points and a career-high 14 rebounds in a losing effort.
Nia Coffey led an impressive effort with 25 points, 17 rebounds, three assists, four blocks and three steals. Christen Inman added 25 points, four rebounds, five assists and three steals while knocking down five three-pointers.
Maggie Lyon added 16 points on a trio of three-pointers, while Ashley Deary flirted with a triple-double, putting up 15 points, eight assists and eight steals to go along with six rebounds. Northwestern's four returning starters combined for a whopping 81 of its 85 points.
Northwestern hit just 4-of-22 shots in the third quarter, while the Huskers shot better than 56 percent in the quarter to cut into the Wildcat lead heading into the fourth quarter. Northwestern responded with a 24-17 fourth quarter to seal the win,
For the game, the Wildcats hit just 35.6 percent (31-87) from the floor, but drained 12-of-27 threes (.444). The biggest numbers came in the turnover department for the Big Red, as the Wildcats won the turnover battle, 19-10, turning Nebraska's 19 miscues into 27 points, while the Huskers got just four points after Northwestern's mistakes. Those 23 points accounted for the final margin on the scoreboard.
Northwestern also outrebounded Nebraska, 57-46, scoring 15 points off 21 offensive rebounds, while the Huskers managed just two points off their 10 offensive boards.
Nebraska hit just 35.3 percent (24-68) of its shots from the floor, including 6-of-14 threes, knocking down 5-of-7 in the second half. The Huskers hit 8-of-11 free throws, while Northwestern hit 11-of-14 shots at the stripe.
The Huskers continue Big Ten road action by battling their third consecutive top 25 team, when they face No. 6 Maryland on Thursday in College Park. Tip-off between Nebraska and the Terrapins is set for 6 p.m. (central) with live television coverage on the Big Ten Network and free live audio from the Husker Sports Network on Huskers.com.