Huskers Surge Past Spartans Into Big Ten Semifinals
Huskers.com
Minneapolis - Alexis Markowski produced her 18th double-double of the season with 22 points and 12 rebounds to lead four Huskers in double figures, as Nebraska surged past Michigan State for a 73-61 win in the quarterfinals of the TIAA Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament at the Target Center on Friday afternoon.
With the victory, fifth-seeded Nebraska improved to 21-10 overall and advanced to Saturday's first semifinal against eighth-seeded Maryland. The Terrapins advanced to the semifinals with an impressive 82-61 win over top-seeded and No. 4 ranked Ohio State in Friday's first quarterfinal match-up. Tip-off between the Big Red and Terps is set for Saturday at 1 p.m. (CT) with live television coverage from the Big Ten Network.
Markowski, a 6-3 first-team All-Big Ten center, received plenty of help from a collection of Huskers firing on all cylinders on Friday. Jaz Shelley continued her spectacular Big Ten Tournament play with 17 points and five assists, while Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Year Natalie Potts notched her fifth double-double of the year with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Fellow All-Big Ten Freshman Logan Nissley added her 10th double-figure scoring effort of the season with 11 points, including three huge third quarter three-pointers to help the Huskers build a 20-point lead heading to the fourth period.
While Markowski and Potts combined for 37 points and 23 rebounds inside for the Huskers, Potts and Nissley combined for 17 points and five three-pointers in the third quarter, as Nebraska outscored the Spartans 26-13 in the period to claim complete control.
Nissley connected on three straight threes in a 2:40 span late in the third after Markowski was whistled for her third foul. Potts, who hit a three to open the period for the Huskers, added the final three of Nebraska's 12-2 spurt to close the quarter and take a 62-42 edge to the fourth.
For the game, Nebraska hit 43.9 percent (29-66) of its shots, including 9-of-25 threes (.360). The Huskers struggled to hit 6-of-12 free throws, but dominated the glass, 44-30, and also won the turnover battle, 13-11.
The Huskers held Michigan State to 43.6 percent (22-55) shooting, including 6-of-16 threes (.375). The Spartans sank 7-of-12 free throws.
Markowski, Potts and Shelley all put together strong first halves, led by Markowski's 16 points and eight rebounds in 16 minutes. Potts added seven points and six boards, including four offensive rebounds to help the Huskers dominate the first-half glass, 25-16.
Shelley pitched in eight points including a pair of three-pointers, while dishing out five assists to help the Huskers build a 36-29 halftime lead.
The Huskers hit 15-of-37 shots (.405) in the half, including 3-of-10 three-pointers, while hitting 3-of-6 free throws. NU held the Spartans to 11-of-27 field goals (.407), including just 1-of-7 threes, while MSU hit 6-of-8 free throws. Nebraska also won the turnover battle, 9-8, in the first 20 minutes.
Michigan State pushed to a 16-10 lead with three minutes left in the first quarter, before Callin Hake hit a three-pointer. The Huskers closed the quarter with momentum but still trailed 22-21 heading to the second period.
After scoring the final bucket of the first quarter, Markowski added the first points of the second period to give Nebraska the lead. With the score tied at 24 after a Potts free throw, Markowski unleashed six straight points over the next 1:30 to give the Big Red a 30-24 edge. The lead grew to eight points after another Markowski basket with 5:25 left.
Julia Ayrault, who led Michigan State with 25 points on the day, scored the opening points of the second half to briefly cut Nebraska's lead to five points, before Potts and Nissley answered with five straight points to give Nebraska its first double-digit lead of the game at 41-31. The Spartans got no closer than six the rest of the game. Ayrault was the only Spartan to score in double figures.
