Huskers’ Heartfelt Hustle Halted by Rutgers in a Nail-Biter

In a gripping showdown that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the Nebraska women’s basketball team’s spirited comeback fell just short against Rutgers this Saturday afternoon at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Despite trailing by 13 points entering the fourth quarter, the Huskers clawed back into contention, only to be edged out 71-70 in the final moments.

Nebraska, now standing at 14-8 overall and 6-5 in Big Ten play, faced an uphill battle against a Rutgers squad that, despite its struggles this season, came out on top to secure its first conference victory, improving to 7-17 overall and 1-10 in Big Ten matchups.

The game’s final minute was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Nebraska narrowing the gap to a single point. Despite multiple opportunities to seize the lead, including a wide-open three-pointer and a final shot at the buzzer by Alexis Markowski, the Huskers couldn’t find the bottom of the net when it mattered most. Markowski and Jaz Shelley, who have been reliable scorers for Nebraska this season, struggled with their shooting, combining for a 7-of-27 effort from the field.

Nebraska’s bench outperformed, contributing 30 points on 11-of-20 shooting, showcasing the depth and potential of the Husker squad. Freshman Jessica Petrie led the reserves with nine points, while Kendall Moriarty and Logan Nissley added crucial points during the fourth-quarter rally.

Rutgers’ bench was a difference-maker, scoring 34 points on an impressive 12-of-15 shooting. Kassondra Brown led all scorers with 21 points off the bench for the Scarlet Knights, playing a pivotal role in their victory.

Despite forcing 23 Rutgers turnovers and converting those into 25 points, Nebraska’s efforts were undermined by the Scarlet Knights’ hot shooting, which saw them hitting 59.6 percent from the field and 46.7 percent from beyond the arc.

Nebraska’s rebounding, typically a strength, couldn’t counteract Rutgers’ efficiency on the offensive end. The Huskers’ 13 offensive rebounds led to 15 second-chance points but weren’t enough to overcome the shooting disparity and the Scarlet Knights’ control of the boards.

As the Huskers look to rebound from this tough loss, they set their sights on a road matchup against Michigan on Wednesday, February 6. With tip-off scheduled for 6 p.m. (CT) at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Nebraska aims to bounce back and continue their fight in the competitive Big Ten landscape. Fans can catch the action with a live video stream available for B1G+ subscribers and free live audio at Huskers.com.

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