Nebraska WBB Defeats Bradley 92-53

The was a clunky game early on, but Nebraska’s offense came alive to continue their impressive early season offensive output of 80+ points per game. The Husker defense held up their end of the bargain as they kept Bradley’s offense under wraps and well below their season average of 75 points per game. Britt Prince (17) led a quintet of Huskers scoring in the double digits including Jess Petrie (15), Amiah Hargrove (13), Petra Bozan (12), and Logan Nissley (10). Petrie accomplished a double double with 10 rebounds. Bozan nearly notched one as well with nine rebounds of her own.

The next game for Nebraska will be their Big Ten opener against Penn State. The game tips off at noon on Saturday, December 6.

First Quarter

It was an odd start as Claire McDougall of Bradley fell out of bounds and was injured 45 seconds into the game. The Huskers were not in synch on offense early, but give the Lady Braves credit for playing tenacious defense. Four different Huskers scored in the first five minutes, with Amiah Hargrove leading the way with six (14-7 Neb). Another Bradley starter, Ellie Mcdermid, had to be helped off the floor after twisting an ankle.

The Husker offense is heating up from long range as both Petrie and Nissley hit on three-pointers for the double-digit lead (20-9). Mcdermid is going to re-enter the game for Bradley so her injury must not have been too bad. The Braves took advantage of aggressive drives to cut the gap to six (20-14 Neb). One more basket for each team closed the quarter.

Nebraska 22 Bradley 16

Second Quarter

The scoring returned to a slower pace as one basket by the Huskers was the sum total for the first two minutes (24-16 Neb). The Huskers re-established a double-digit lead (26-16) on the next possession and are out-rebounding the Braves 16-8. Eliza Maupin powered a Nebraska offensive onslaught with two three-point plays. The Husker defense has held the Braves scoreless through the first four minutes of the quarter. The next minute saw a five-point output for Bradley (35-21 Neb).

The pace picked up considerably as both teams were doing a lot of running and shooting. The Huskers did more scoring, especially Jess Petrie, who is up to 11 points. I have written this before, but Kennadi Williams is a menace on defense. She is tenacious and smart about getting in the right position. Nebraska extended the lead to 20 to end the quarter.

Nebraska 48 Bradley 28

Halftime Notes

Jess Petrie leads all scorers with 15 points, Amiah Hargrove has eight, Eliza Maupin and Britt Prince have scored seven apiece. Petra Bozan leads all rebounders with five, Petrie and Callin Hake have four rebounds each. Logan Nissley and Hake have each dished five assists while Prince has three.

The Huskers are shooting 61% from the field (22-36) and are holding Bradley to 37% (11-30). The rebound advantage for Nebraska has increased (23-10) and Bradley has committed eight turnovers compared to five for the Huskers. Neither team is having success from long range as both teams are 2-11 from the three-point line.

Third Quarter

For as slow as the first two quarters started, this one got off to a faster start with each team grabbing a basket in the first 40 seconds (50-30 Neb). Britt Prince becomes the second Husker in double digits with a three-pointer that initiated a nine point Husker run (59-30). The Bradley players have a quick first step and are getting past Nebraska’s defenders, but cannot finish their shots. Prince is making some really good looking passes right now. Nebraska’s lead grew to 30 at the midpoint of the quarter (60-30). Jess Petrie has her first career double double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

The scoring has gone cold with no points for either team until two Nissley free throws at 2:37 broke the drought. After a three-pointer by Nissley, she became the third Husker in double digits.

Nebraska 65 Bradley 36

Fourth Quarter

The fast pace continued, and free throws are starting to add up in the first two minutes of the quarter (69-40 Neb). Amiah Hargrove joined the double-digit scoring club with 10 points. Nebraska’s lead grew to as much as 35 (77-42) but Bradley answered with a five point run (77-47 Neb).

Some back and forth runs by each team led to fast and furious scoring and Petra Bozan became the fifth Husker in double digits (86-53 Neb). The Huskers have scored 80+ in all eight of their games so far this season.

Final. Nebraska 92 Bradley 53