Husker women cruise past Long Beach State
The Nebraska women’s basketball team led 5-0 after two minutes and twice extended their lead to as many as 26 points in a 75-52 victory against Long Beach State on Saturday in Long Beach, Calif.
The Huskers won both games on their California trip. On Thursday, NU defeated Cal State Bakersfield 66-62.
Nebraska improved to 9-2 while extending its winning streak to six straight games, while Long Beach State slipped to 1-8.
Coach Connie Yori was pleased with NU’s effort.
“We played with the emotion we wanted. It’s important on the road to get a good start.”
The Huskers were 9-for-9 inside the three-point arc, and seven different Huskers scored as they took a 21-2 lead.
Nebraska led 38-16 at halftime, on 52 percent shooting from the field. Long Beach hit just 28 percent in the half. The 49ers’ 16 points were the sixth-fewest NU had allowed in a half.
The Huskers hit 16 of 31 shots in the half, including a pair of three-pointers. NU forced 14 turnovers, while committing only five of its own in the opening period.
Long Beach came out hot in the second half, outscoring the Huskers 16-7 in the first five minutes, equaling its scoring output from the first half.
But Nebraska came back with a 9-0 run, holding the 49ers scoreless for more than 5 minutes, to take a 54-32 advantage.
“Other than the first five minutes of the second half, when we lost focus, we played OK,” Yori said. “Overall, I’m pleased with the offensive end. But we have to do a better job on the offensive glass.”
Freshman Kaitlyn Burke led the Huskers with 14 points, including three three-pointers, and a career-high six rebounds.
Cory Montgomery, who was making her first career start in place of Kelsey Griffin, finished with 13 points.
For the first time in 75 games as a Husker, Griffin didn’t start. She didn’t even suit up. The junior has been hampered by a rib injury suffered early in the season. Her 74 straight starts had led the Big 12.
Yori said the Huskers had to change their game plan with Griffin and Kala Kuhlmann, who is nursing a sore knee, both not being able to play.
“We’ve been a team that’s been focused on playing with energy. But today, we were really thin at the perimeter. Playing the style we like to play, that definitely changes some things.”
The Huskers’ reserve centers, Nikki Bober and Jessica Periago, had nine and five points, respectively. In fact, both hit their first career three-pointers.
Yori was not surprised.
“Our post players actually are pretty good facing up and shooting the ball.”
The Huskers will take a week off for finals, then travel to Columbus, Ohio, to battle Ohio State on Saturday.
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