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No. 17 Michigan State
 Shepard |  Romeo |  Cincore |
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1 2 total
MSU (17) 28 38 66
NEBRASKA (NR) 39 34 73
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With the victory, Nebraska improved to 17-8 overall and 8-6 in the Big Ten, while Michigan State slipped to 18-7 overall and 9-5 in the conference.
The Huskers, who improved to 14-1 at home this season while playing in front of a season-high 8,338 fans on Play4Kay Day at Pinnacle Bank Arena, led 39-28 at halftime after a season-high 29 second-quarter points against the Spartans.
Shepard and Romeo led the way by combining for 32 of Nebraska's 39 first-half points. Shepard, who notched her 15th 20-point performance of the season, scored 18 in the first half to become the first Husker freshman in history to reach 500 points. She finished the day at 514.
Romeo hit 2-of-3 threes in the first half on her way to 14 points, including 11 in the second quarter alone. She finished 5-of-7 from long range on the day to become Nebraska's single-season three-point record holder with 86 on the year. Romeo went 7-for-12 from the field overall and matched her career highs by going 6-for-6 from the free throw line.
As good as Romeo was offensively, she may have been even better defensively by shutting down Michigan State's No. 2 scorer Tori Jankoska. The MSU junior guard came to Lincoln averaging 15.8 points per game but was held scoreless on just four shots in the first 39:58 until hitting an unguarded three with two seconds left in the game to make the final margin seven points.
Romeo, who played 40 or more minutes for the 10th time this season, had the primary responsibility on Jankoska throughout the game. Romeo finished with three steals.
"Natalie was really, really good defensively," Nebraska Coach Connie Yori said. "I know everybody makes a big deal about her threes, but she has grown into maybe our best defender, and she has to guard a great player every night. She just keeps getting better, and tonight she basically shut down Jankoska, which we know is not an easy thing to do."
Sophomore guard Jasmine Cincore also supplied a huge lift for the Huskers at both ends. Cincore hit arguably the game's biggest shot with her three as time expired to end the first quarter and send Nebraska to the second period with its first lead at 10-9. Cincore's shot ignited the Husker crowd, which had been waiting to erupt in a low-scoring first quarter.
Cincore added a highlight reel finish on a throw-ahead layup in the second quarter. She finished the day with six points and was a major reason why the Huskers were able to hold Michigan State star Aerial Powers somewhat in check. Although Powers finished with 19 points and eight rebounds, she also committed eight turnovers, including three steals by Cincore, who also was responsible for three or four tieups on the floor that helped Nebraska win the turnover battle against the Spartans, 16-10.
"I am really happy for and proud of Jas," Yori said. "She has faced a lot of adversity in terms of injuries in her first couple years, and she has overcome it. She has continued to practice hard and practice well and her game is really coming along. She is making the most of her opportunities. Last year, we guarded Aerial Powers with Hailie Sample and Emily Cady, two of the best defenders we've ever had and they were both seniors, and Powers still got 35 against us."
Junior center Allie Havers added five points and nine rebounds before fouling out, while Rachel Theriot continued her torrid assist-to-turnover display over the last four games. Theriot finished with four points, six rebounds and 12 assists against just two turnovers. Over the last four contests, she owns 47 assists and just eight turnovers.
Anya Kalenta added four points, while Rachel Blackburn pitched in three points, two rebounds, two steals and two huge plays in the closing minutes. With Nebraska clinging to a 70-63 lead, Blackburn drew an offensive foul on Powers in the open court with 57 seconds left. On NU's ensuing possession, Blackburn dove to the basket and finished an assist from Theriot with 30 seconds left to put the Big Red up 72-63 and end any comeback hopes of the Spartans.
Nebraska finished 50 percent (27-54) from the floor, including 6-of-13 from three-point range while knocking down 13-of-18 free throws.
Michigan State hit 43.3 percent (26-60) of its shots, including 6-of-13 threes, while connecting on 8-of-11 free throws. MSU won the rebounding battle 38-28, and outscored Nebraska 12-2 on second-chance points. However, the Huskers turned Michigan State's 16 turnovers into 29 points, while Nebraska's 10 turnovers resulted in just seven points for the Spartans.
In addition to the 19 points for Powers, Michigan State got a career-high 14 points from freshman post Jenna Allen off the bench. Branndais Agee added 12 points, while senior center Jasmine Hines managed nine points, 10 rebounds and three assists.
Nebraska will conclude Big Ten regular-season road action on Thursday when the Huskers collide with No. 7 Ohio State. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. (central) and the game will be televised by BTN.