Thursday Morning Sports – Husker Women Sweep Badgers, Williams & Shelley Postgame Comments, UNK Basketball Splits with Bearcats, UNK Women Move Up in Central Rankings, Local Sports Schedule

HUSKER WOMEN’S BASKETBALL USES SHELLEY’S BIG NIGHT FOR BADGERS SWEEP:

Jaz Shelley erupted for 20 points and buried four three-pointers to lead four Huskers in double figures, as Nebraska worked its way to an 80-70 women’s basketball road win at Wisconsin on Wednesday night at the Kohl Center.

Nebraska notched its eighth win in the last 11 games to improve to 21-7 overall and 10-7 in the Big Ten, while Wisconsin slipped to 7-20 overall and 4-13 in the conference.

Sam Haiby pitched in a strong effort with 11 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal. She sealed the Husker victory with four straight free throws in the final 45 seconds to put Nebraska up 80-67 with 30 seconds left, matching its biggest lead of the game.

Nebraska closes Big Ten regular-season play when the Huskers return home to take on Northwestern Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Tip-off between the Big Red and the Wildcats is set for 3:30 p.m.

NEBRASKA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL POSTGAME COMMENTS:

WILLIAMS – GOOD ROAD WIN FOR HUSKERS

Head Coach of the Huskers Women’s Basketball team Amy Williams spoke after her team’s road victory over Wisconsin that she was thrilled to see her team execute in a tough environment away from Pinnacle Bank Arena… 

With the win, Nebraska confirmed a winning conference record in Big Ten play and wrapped up their road Big Ten travel for the regular season.

WILLIAMS – STRONG EFFORT TO FIGHT THROUGH BACK-AND-FORTH OPENING:

The Husker Women’s basketball team held off a furious effort by the Wisconsin Badgers on the road Wednesday night, escaping with their eighth win in the past eleven contests. 

Head Coach Amy Williams liked her team’s efforts in the contest despite a back-and-forth rally from both sides… 

Nebraska wraps up their regular season taking on Northwestern at home on Sunday.

WILLIAMS – SHELLEY’S AGGRESSIVE PLAY LEADS TO SUCCESS

Nebraska Women’s Basketball rallied for a road victory behind a strong performance by Jazz Shelley, ending with 20 points and leading numerous other scores in the win. Head Coach Amy Williams was ecstatic to see the aggressive play by the Australian star… 

Nebraska will look to follow Shelley’s lead into the final regular season game of the year as the Huskers return home to take on Northwestern on Sunday.

WILLIAMS – GOOD TO BE HOME TO CELEBRATE SENIORS ON SUNDAY

Head Coach Amy Williams was happy with her team’s performance on the road at Wisconsin on Wednesday night earning a win over the Badgers, but added in her postgame comments she’s happy to get her seniors one more game at Pinnacle Bank Arena… 

The Huskers will face off against Northwestern at Pinnacle Bank Arena with tickets still available at Huskers.com for the 3:30 tip-off time.

SHELLEY – TEAM CONFIDENCE GOES UP WHEN I PLAY WELL

Nebraska’s leader in the win over Wisconsin was Jazz Shelley, freeing up other Huskers for scores and having 20 points of her own in the road victory Wednesday night. Shelley added in the postgame that she felt the team plays better when she takes a more aggressive approach… 

Shelley knocked down four three-pointers in the contest and looks to keep the hot hand heading back to Pinnacle Bank Arena to close out the regular season. 

LOPER WOMEN FOLLOW CARLSON’S BIG NIGHT WITH WIN OVER NORTHWEST MISSOURI:

Brooke Carlson scored a career-high 23 points and Nebraska-Kearney shot 79 percent in the third quarter to turn back Northwest Missouri State, 68-51, Thursday night at the Health & Sports Center.

The Lopers (21-6, 16-5) add to their NCAA resume and down the Bearcats (17-10, 12-9) for a fifth straight time. UNK also remains in sole possession of the third place in the MIAA standings.

UNK hosts Missouri Western State on Friday night to close out the 2021-22 home slate. The Griffons (20-7, 14-7) nationally-ranked Fort Hays State for most of the way tonight but lost in overtime, 78-69. 

UNK WOMEN’S BASKETBALL CLIMBS CENTRAL REGION RANKINGS:

The Nebraska-Kearney women’s basketball team moved up two spots to seventh in the latest edition of the NCAA Regional Rankings.

These rankings determine the 64-team NCAA Division II Tournament field in March. Eight teams from eight regions will be selected; the Lopers and MIAA compete in the Central Region along with the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conf. (NSIC) and Great American Conf. (GAC). The conference tournament winners receive automatic bids to the “Big Dance” with five at-large spots up for grabs. The top seed in each region hosts March 11-14.

UNK (20-6 overall; 18-6 D2 record) went 1-1 last week but Harding (Ark.) lost twice and Missouri Western State once.

UNK MENS BASKETBALL FIGHT WITH BEARCATS, FALL SHORT IN FINAL MINUTES:

Northwest Missouri State stars Diego Bernard and Trevor Hudgins combined for 42 points and the No. 8/13 Bearcats finished on an 18-8 run to get past Nebraska-Kearney, 77-67, Thursday night at the Health & Sports Center.

NW (24-5, 17-4) stops its first two-game losing streak in seven years while the Lopers (11-16, 7-14) sees its postseason hopes end.

UNK went toe-to-toe with the two-time defending national champions, getting 27 points from guard David Simental (Pueblo West, Colo.), a double double from super senior forward Austin Luger (Alliance) and a big effort from reserve forward Winston Cook (Wahoo). However, the ‘Cats saw Bernard almost record a triple double (18 points, 13 rebounds, five steals and four assists) with Hudgins, the reigning National Player of the Year, warming up after the break and tallying 24 points.

NK hosts Missouri Western (13-16, 9-12) on Friday night. The Griffons lost at Fort Hays State on Wednesday, 56-42.

HUSKER MEN FALL TO NORTHWESTERN:

Bryce McGowens set Nebraska’s freshman scoring record Tuesday night at Northwestern, but the Wildcats defeated the Huskers 77-65 at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

Nebraska returns home on Friday, when the Huskers will host the Iowa Hawkeyes in their final home game of the season. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. at Pinnacle Bank Arena

NEBRASKA MEN’S BASKETBALL POSTGAME COMMENTS:

HOIBERG – SHORT STRETCHES BURN HUSKERS AGAIN

Head Coach for the Nebraska Men’s Basketball team Fred Hoiberg spoke during the postgame after the Huskers 77-65 loss to Northwestern on Tuesday night saying it was another short burst of minutes that doomed the Huskers chances… 

The Huskers remain with only one win in conference play and host Iowa to close out the regular season on Friday night. 

HOIBERG – HUSKERS DID NOT CONVERT SHOTS, NORTHWESTERN DID

Nebraska Men’s Basketball Head Coach Fred Hoiberg spoke in his postgame comments after the loss to Northwestern about the many missed shots and opportunities by his team… 

Nebraska could not get their shot consistently to fall, while Northwestern knocked down thirteen three-pointers. 

HOIBERG – HISTORICAL MOMENT FOR BRYCE STEMS FROM IMPROVEMENT:

Husker Freshman Bryce McGowens broke a 39 year old scoring record for freshman in a season at Nebraska on Tuesday night’s loss to Northwestern, tallying 15 points and now scoring 452 total points on the season. 

Head Coach Fred Hoiberg applauded the accomplishment, saying the proof is in the young star’s improvement through the season… 

Hoiberg also credited McGowen’s strength in his rebounding on Tuesday night, finishing with a double-double earning 10 rebounds as well. 

HOIBERG – IOWA PREVIEW FOR FINAL HOME GAME:

Nebraska Men’s Basketball fell to Northwestern in their final regular season road contest on Tuesday night. Head Coach Fred Hoiberg previewed the final home contest coming up on Friday at Pinnacle Bank Arena against rival Iowa… 

Nebraska is cemented at the bottom of the Big Ten tournament bracket with only one conference win on the season so far. 

HUSKER SPRING PRACTICES SET TO BEGIN NEXT WEEK:

Nebraska Football will begin their official start to the 2022 season by holding their first spring practice on Monday, Feb. 28. The Huskers will also have media availability for selected players, Head Coach Scott Frost, all coordinators, and select assistant coaches throughout the spring practices. 

Nebraska will have a break from spring ball during the scheduled UNL spring break from March 14-20. 

Spring practices will conclude with the Husker Spring Game set for April 9. 

NEBRASKA PRO DAY SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 22:

Intertwined with the Nebraska Football spring football practice schedule, the Huskers will be hosting their Pro Day on March 22 at the Hawks Championship Center. Portions of the Pro Day will be open to the media and more detailed information will be shared as the event nears. 

A list of Huskers looking to make an impression for NFL scouts include receiver Samori Toure, defensive backs Cam Taylor-Britt and Deontai Williams, linebacker/hybrid defender JoJo Domann, center Cam Jurgens, tight end Austin Allen, and defensive end Ben Stille.

NEBRASKA BEACH VOLLEYBALL HAS MATCH CANCELED THURSDAY:

Nebraska’s beach volleyball match scheduled for Thursday against Oklahoma Wesleyan at the Hawks Championship Center has been canceled due to winter weather and travel conditions in Oklahoma. The teams will attempt to re-schedule the match in March. 

The Huskers instead will open their season on Friday at 8 a.m. against Wayne State and at 4 p.m. against Park, both inside the Hawks Championship Center.

Both Friday matches will have a free live video stream available to watch on Twitter (@HuskerVBall) and on the Nebraska Volleyball Facebook page. NU’s home matches are closed to the public because of space limitations inside the Hawks Championship Center.

HUSKER FOOTBALL LANDS 2023 QUARTERBACK COMMITMENT:

A comfort level with the coaching staff and a fit in the offense gave William Watson III all he needed to make his college decision.

With that the Springfield, Mass. Central standout found his college home, and Nebraska found its quarterback for the class of 2023.

The 6-foot, 170-pound Watson announced his football commitment to the Cornhuskers during halftime of his basketball game Tuesday.

Nebraska’s new offensive coordinator, Mark Whipple, was the leader recruiter for Watson while he was at Pittsburgh. Whipple made several coaching stops around New England and is highly regarded in the area. When Whipple was hired at Nebraska, he made Watson a priority to the class.

He is the fifth member of Nebraska’s class. He joins offensive linemen Gunner Gottula of Lincoln (Neb.) Southeast and Sam Sledge of Omaha (Neb.) Creighton Prep, cornerback Dwight Bootle II of Miami Killian and receiver Benjamin Brahmer of Pierce (Neb.) High.

Local Results & Schedules:

THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:

WEDNESDAY:

• UNK:
  • WOMENS BASKETBALL: v. Northwest Missouri State @ Health & Sports Center
    • UNK 68-51
  • MENS BASKETBALL: v. Northwest Missouri State @ Health & Sports Center
    • NWM St. 77-67
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • WOMENS BASEKTBALL: @ No. 9 Morningside University
    • Morningside 98-84

THURSDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • SWIMMING & DIVING: State Tournament
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • SWIMMING & DIVING: State Tournament
  • BOYS BASKETBALL: C1-11 Sub Districts Championship @ Kearney Catholic
    • #1 Kearney Catholic v. #2 Minden – 7 PM
• UNK:
  • N/a
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • N/a

FRIDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • N/a
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • N/a
• UNK:
  • M/W T&F: @ MIAA Championships @ Maryville, MO
  • WOMENS BASKETBALL: v. Missouri Western State @ Health & Sports Center – 5:30 PM
  • MENS BASKETBALL: v. Missouri Western State @ Health & Sports Center – 7:30 PM
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • BASEBALL: @ Ottawa, KS
    • @ Ottawa University – 12 PM
    • @ Ottawa University (Doubleheader)
  • SOFTBALL: @ Hillsboro, KS
    • @ Tabor College – 2 PM
    • @ Tabor College (Doubleheader)

SATURDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • GIRLS BASKETBALL: A-2 District Basketball Tournament:
    • #2 Kearney v. #3 Gretna @ Kearney High School – 3 PM
      • Pregame on KGFW starts at 2:45 PM
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • N/a
• UNK:
  • M/W T&F: @ MIAA Championships @ Maryville, MO
  • WRESTLING: @ NCAA Super Region VI @ Grand Junction, CO
  • SOFTBALL: @ Washburn Classic @ Topeka, KS
    • v. Mary
    • v. St. Louis
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • WOMENS WRESTLING: @ KCAC Conference Tounament @ St. Mary’s KS – 9 AM
  • BASEBALL: @ Ottawa, KS
    • @ Ottawa University – 12 PM
    • @ Ottawa University (Doubleheader)
  • SOFTBALL: @ North Newton, KS
    • @ Bethel College – 1 PM 
    • @ Bethel College (Doubleheader)