Lady Huskers rally to beat Illinois 58 – 53

The Nebraska women’s basketball team went to Champaign, Illinois Sunday seeking a 2nd Big Ten victory versus Illinois. At the State Farm Center, completely awash in bright ORANGE on a “pack the house” afternoon, the Huskers prevailed against the Illini 58-53.

Finally the Huskers, who have battled injury and illness, dressed the entire squad and everybody practiced during shoot around. We knew this would be a tough road test. Illinois plays the “buzz” defense, a variation on the 2,3 zone alternating with man-to-man defense. They were missing their senior sensation, Ivory Crawford, who is out with a meniscus tear but they had plenty of weapons available to run their offense.

Jan 4, 2015; University Park, PA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini center Chatrice White (32) puts in a lay up during the second half against the Penn State Lady Lions at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Carlsen-USA TODAY Sports

Two freshmen players, Amarah Coleman and Chatrice White, are instrumental in Illinois success this season. Those familiar with Nebraska girl’s basketball know the name of Chatrice White. She is from Shelby, Nebraska and was designated a McDonald’s All-American last year.

Once again, this game was a tale of two different halves. From the opening tip the Huskers floundered, unable to settle in. Their offense sputtered with only a few shots attempted and few goals made. They couldn’t establish their perimeter game and the Huskers turned the ball over at inopportune times. They were rattled but somehow they battled back.

In the last two minutes of the first half, Nebraska played tough. They went on a 10-2 run to bring the Huskers from behind to tie the game at 27-27 with 13 seconds left. A last second basket by Illinois sent the Huskers to the locker room at the half down 29 -27. Looking at the first half statistics was pretty telling. Rachel Theriot shot 2-8, Emily Cady, the hero from the Michigan State game, didn’t take a shot at all and Hailie Sample was 1-2. Three-point shooting was 1-7.

In the second half, the Huskers came out and began to make shots. The defense stiffened and they did a better job rebounding. However, the momentum still belonged to Illinois who led by as many as nine points for a time. Then, as if someone flipped a switch, the offense clicked to “ON”. They went on an 8 -2 run to tie the game at 51, with 4:24 left in the game.

Jan 31, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Rachel Theriot (24) takes a three-point shot against the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Schottenstein Center. Nebraska Cornhuskers won the game 62-53. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

Rachel Theriot went on a scoring tear accounting for 17 of the 24 points up to that point. The next three minutes saw the Husker defense, led by Hailie Sample, stand tall and disrupt the Illini offense and hold them scoreless. A disorganized Illinois defense could only commit fouls as the seconds clicked off the clock. When the buzzer sounded, Nebraska heaved a sigh of relief and celebrated a 58 – 53 comeback victory.

Needless to say, Rachel Theriot came up BIG for the Huskers in this game, finishing with 27 points. Emily Cady, who was key for the Huskers in the Michigan State win, could only muster five shots in the entire game!

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In her post-game comments, Coach Connie Yori sounded physically and emotionally spent. “Road wins are HARD!! Three conference games on the road is not an easy way to start out the conference season.” When asked about the difference between the first and second half play she said, “I didn’t like our body language in the first half, when we were down and being challenged. In the second half we were poised and handled Illinois runs better.”

Huskers return home to welcome Penn St. Nittany Lady Lions Thursday night at Pinnacle Bank Sports Arena. Tip off is scheduled for 6pm (CST). TV coverage by BTN!! As always, be LOUD and PROUD!! GO BIG RED!!