Plenty to work on for Nebraska women’s basketball, but the season opener ended the way you’d want it to whether during a pandemic delayed season or in a normal year: with a win.
“Some good things tonight and also plenty to work on,” Nebraska coach Amy Williams said after the game.
Nebraska center Kate Cain blocks a shot in the fourth quarter of Friday’s win over Oral Roberts. Cain’s six blocked shots on the night extend her school record for career blocked shots to 286. (Photo Courtesy Nebraska Athletics Communications Office)
Nebraska (1-0) turned the ball over 21 times Saturday against Oral Roberts (0-3). Last season, the Huskers only exceeded that total once, when they had 22 against Minnesota.
“In addition to us playing our first game and our opponent having a couple games under their belt already, we didn’t have that normal scrimmage or exhibition game to knock some of the rust off,” Williams said. “So it was a little nerve-racking.
“I thought we settled in better (in the second half).”
Despite giving the ball away early and often, and the Golden Eagles hitting five first quarter 3s, the game was tied after one. Then Nebraska took over for the middle of the game.
The Huskers shot 48.5-percent during the second and third quarters to outscore Oral Roberts 49-26 and pull away before coasting in the fourth quarter to a 90-61 victory.
Six Huskers scored in double figures.
“That’s a real positive for us,” Williams said.
Kate Cain led the way with a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds, adding six blocked shots. Isabelle Bourne was right there with Cain, contributing 14 points, nine rebounds, and three blocked shots.
Sam Haiby also filled the stat sheet with 14 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists.
Nebraska guard Sam Haiby drives by a defender in the second half of Friday’s 90-61 win over Oral Roberts. (Photo Courtesy Nebraska Athletics Communications Office)
“(Haiby) kinda lulls you to sleep a little bit,” Williams said. “Just finding ways to really contribute for our team in a lot of different ways other than just scoring.”
Trinity Brady had a team-high 15 points, making all three of her 3-point attempts. Also in double-figures were Annika Stewart (12) and Makenzie Helms (10).
Nebraska finished shooting 50-percent from the field, including 7-of-15 on 3s.
Prior to the game, family and friends introduced the Nebraska roster and starters. Bourne said that introduction meant a lot to the team, especially those a significant distance from home.
“That was really special for all of us,” Bourne said. “Especially I know some of the people on our team miss home a lot. For me (Canberra, Australia) and Ruby (Porter – Adelaide, Australia) but also Bella (Cravens – Laie, Hawaii), MiCole (Cayton – Stockton, California), and Nailah (Dillard – Sacramento, California), we’re all really far from home.
“To see that, made us all excited and pumped and ready to go for the game. It was great.”
You can see the full video from the Nebraska women’s basketball official Twitter account below.
On and off the court, it’s all about family.
That’s a #FACT. pic.twitter.com/PS1Sn81SF4
— Nebraska WBB (@HuskersWBB) December 4, 2020
The Huskers are next in action hosting Idaho State (1-0) Sunday.
Feature Image Courtesy Nebraska Athletics Communications Office