LINCOLN, Neb. (Dec. 22, 2021) – The Nebraska Cornhuskers proved to be a bit too much for the Wyoming Cowgirl basketball team Wednesday afternoon in Lincoln, Neb., as the Cornhuskers defeated UW 72-61 in the Cowgirls' final non-conference action of the 2021-22.
The Cowgirls (4-5) were up to the task on the offensive end in the game's opening frame, as the two teams traded buckets in the game's first 10 minutes. UW shot 7-of-15 from the floor in the first quarter and hit 3-of-6 from 3-point range. Nebraska's offense was equally potent in the first, as it shot 9-of-17 and 5-for-8 from beyond-the-arc, including a last-second three to take a 23-20 lead after one.
In the second, the Nebraska offense continued its torrid pace as the Cornhuskers (12-0) outscored Wyoming 19-11 in the frame, as UW shot just 26 percent in the second quarter and made just one 3-pointer as NU lengthened the lead to 42-31 going into halftime. Nebraska ended the half on a 7-2 run over the final 2:13 of the frame.
The second half began, and it was all Cornhuskers in the third quarter, as they continued to play well on both ends of the court, especially on the defensive end in the quarter. Nebraska outscored the Cowgirls 15-8 in the third and took a 57-39 lead heading to the fourth.
After Nebraska built the lead up to 20 points, 60-40, with 9:17 left to play, the Cowgirls got back-to-back hoops to cut the deficit to 60-45 with 7:46 to play, leading to a Cornhusker timeout. With 2:20 left to play, the Cowgirls would get within nine, 68-59, thanks to an 8-0 run by the Cowgirls. The eight-point margin would be as close as UW could get, however as NU would get a second-chance three-point play with just under two minutes to go and eventually pushed the advantage back up to 13 late.
"Nebraska has a lot of weapons that we had to try and take away," said Head Coach Gerald Mattinson.
"They're as a good of a team that we have faced and will face this season. Overall I'm pleased with the effort today."
Wyoming shot 36.1 percent in the loss (22-for-61) and after hitting a trio of 3-pointers in the first quarter, hit just three more in the final three quarters of action, shooting just 6-of-24 (25 percent) from beyond-the-arc. Nebraska shot just under 46 percent from the floor and hit 9-of-25 (36 percent) from 3-point range. The Cowgirls shot 11-of-14 at the free-throw line, while NU shot just 7-for-12.
The Huskers had slight advantages in rebounding (39-36) and points off turnovers (10-7) and had their bench outscore the Cowgirls' 27-18, which was a big difference in the contest. Annika Stewart scored a game- and career-high 21 points off the bench for Nebraska. UW had a 28-26 edge in points in the paint, as well as an 11-10 edge in second-chance points.
Allyson Fertig led three Cowgirls in double figures with 16 points, which tied a career-best for the freshman in just her second career start. Fertig also led the way with nine rebounds and added a block and a steal in the loss. Alba Sanchez Ramos added 12 points, five boards and three assists on the day, while Ola Ustowska continued her solid bench play with 10 points on 4-of-7 from the field and 2-for-4 from 3-point land.
McKinley Bradshaw chipped in with nine points and five rebounds against the Huskers. Quinn Weidemann added six and had a season-best six boards to go along with a pair of assists in her return to her home state.
"I thought the first quarter we played really well on both ends and then they figured out some of things we were trying to do, especially on offense," continued Mattinson postgame.
"I thought overall, outside of parts of the second and third quarters, we played really well on both ends. We started taking away their 3-pointers and made some nice adjustments. I'm pleased, I'm not pleased that we lost, but I'm pleased overall - that we came into another tough environment and responded. We won't quit."
The Cowgirls now shift their focus post-Christmas to Mountain West play as UW begins with 3-of-4 on the road to open league play. Wyoming travels to San Diego State Dec. 28 for a 2 p.m., Mountain Time tip in California.
-WYO-