Huskers Take on Toreros for Title

Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-0, 0-0 Big Ten)

at San Diego Toreros (4-1, 0-0 West Coast)

The Dana on Mission Bay Holiday Tournament

Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, 6 p.m. (CT)

Jenny Craig Pavilion – San Diego, California

Live Video: WCC Network
Live Radio: Huskers Radio Network (5:45 p.m.)
Matt Coatney (PBP), Jeff Griesch (Analyst), Lincoln (1400 AM), Omaha (105.9 FM)
Huskers.com, Huskers App

Huskers Take on Toreros for Tournament Title

The Nebraska women’s basketball team shoots for a title on Saturday when the Huskers battle the hosts from San Diego for The Dana on Mission Bay Holiday Tournament championship at Jenny Craig Pavilion.

Tip-off between the Huskers (6-0) and the host Toreros (4-1) is set for 6 p.m. (CT), with the Huskers Radio Network call of Matt Coatney and Jeff Griesch on Huskers.com. Saturday’s game can be heard in Lincoln on KLIN 1400 AM, and in Omaha on CD 105.9 FM. Free audio is also available on Huskers.com and on the Huskers App. Live video is also available through the WCC Network.

Nebraska advanced to the championship game with a 65-53 victory over 2021 Colonial Athletic Association champion and NCAA Tournament qualifier Drexel on Friday. Sophomore Jaz Shelley (Moe, Australia) erupted for 30 points on just nine field goal attempts. She went 8-for-9 from the floor, including 6-of-7 from three-point range, while sinking 8-of-9 free throws. The 5-9 guard added seven rebounds and two assists.

While Shelley did the damage for the Huskers outside, Bella Cravens, Alexis Markowski and Isabelle Bourne powered the Big Red inside. The trio combined for 17 points and 29 rebounds, as the Huskers produced a 51-33 advantage on the glass against the Dragons.

San Diego, which is coached by former Nebraska assistant Cindy Fisher, moved to the title game with a 68-64 win over Mountain West Conference preseason favorite Fresno State. Australian Steph Gorman led USD with 17 points on 4-of-7 three-point shooting, while Ayanna Khalfani contributed 10 points off the bench in her most significant action of the season. The Toreros used a massive 18-0 run to turn a 10-point third-quarter deficit into a 10-point fourth-quarter lead before holding on for the victory.

San Diego improved to 3-0 on its home court this season, including wins over Hawaii and Air Force. It’s lone loss this season came at Washington (57-51, Nov. 12).

Nebraska will take aim at its first 7-0 start under sixth-year head coach Amy Williams and its first 7-0 start overall 2014-15. The Huskers continue to rank among national leaders by averaging 90.5 points per game while surrendering just 50.5 points per contest.

In addition to Shelley, who leads Nebraska in scoring (14.3 ppg), rebounding (8.3 rpg), assists (4.8 apg), three-pointers (18-29, .621) and blocked shots, the Huskers also feature All-Big Ten Sam Haiby (7.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.4 apg) and All-Big Ten forward Isabelle Bourne (13.0 ppg 5.2 rpg), along with returning starters Ashley Scoggin (9.8 ppg) and Bella Cravens (7.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg).

Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-0, 0-0 Big Ten)

14 – Bella Cravens – 6-3 – Jr. – F – 7.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg

34 – Isabelle Bourne – 6-2 – So. – F – 13.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg

0 – Ashley Scoggin – 5-7 – RSo. – G – 9.8 ppg, 1.3 rpg

1 – Jaz Shelley – 5-9 – So. – G – 14.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg

4 – Sam Haiby – 5-9 – Jr. – G – 7.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg

Off the Bench

40 – Alexis Markowski – 6-3 – Fr. – F/C – 8.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg

21 – Annika Stewart – 6-3 – Fr. – F – 7.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg    

3 – Allison Weidner – 5-10 – Fr. – G – 6.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg

32 – Kendall Coley – 6-2 – Fr. – F/G – 5.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg 

11 – Ruby Porter – 5-10 – Fr. – G – 4.0 ppg, 1.2 rpg

10 – Whitney Brown – 5-8 – Fr. – G – 3.4 ppg, 1.2 rpg

15 – Kendall Moriarty – 6-1 – Fr. – G – 3.3 ppg, 0.7 rpg

5 – MiCole Cayton – 5-9 – Gr. – G – 2.0 ppg, 1.8 rpg

Head Coach: Amy Williams (Nebraska, 1998)

Sixth Season at Nebraska (78-75); 15th Season Overall (271-184)

San Diego Toreros (4-1, 0-0 West Coast Conference)

30 – Kendall Bird – 6-2 – RSr. – F – 7.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg

32 – Sydney Hunter – 6-0 – Gr. – G – 7.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg

0 – Kiera Oakry – 5-10 – RJr. – G – 7.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg

4 – Steph Gorman – 6-0 – Jr. – G – 9.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg

23 – Jordyn Edwards – 5-8 – Gr. – G – 8.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg

Off the Bench

10 – Myah Pace – 5-11 – Gr. – G – 8.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg

20 – Erica Martinsen – 5-9 – RSr. – G – 7.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg

24 – Kylie Horstmeyer – 6-0 – So. – G – 5.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg

22 – Kasey Neubert – 6-1 – Jr. – F – 5.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg

5 – Ayanna Khalfani – 5-11 – Jr. – G – 5.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg

11 – Laura Erikstrup – 6-2 – So. – C – 1.8 ppg, 0.8 rpg

34 – Gabby Giuffre – 5-11 – Fr. – G – 1.2 ppg, 0.8 rpg

42 – Harsimran Kaur – 6-4 – Fr. – F – 1.0 ppg, 0.5 rpg

33 – Amanda Olinger – 6-3 – Jr. – F – 1.0 ppg, 0.3 rpg

25 – Nicole Blakes – 6-2 – RJr. – F – 0.4 ppg, 1.8 rpg

1 – Courtney Wristen – 6-2 – Fr. – F – 0.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg

Head Coach: Cindy Fisher (Arizona State, 1988)

17th Season at San Diego (298-196); 22nd Season Overall (357-277) 

Scouting the San Diego Toreros

Cindy Fisher leads her 17th Torero team into the 2021-22 season after a pandemic-shortened season when they finished 12-7. Fisher has strong family and professional ties to Nebraska, where she was an assistant coach under Connie Yori during the 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons. Her current San Diego roster includes Kasey Neubert, a 6-1 junior forward who is the daughter of former Nebraska tight end (1987) and basketball letterman (1984-86-87) Keith Neubert, who played in the NFL for the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles. Her mother Paula was also a member of the Husker softball team.

San Diego’s roster in recent years also included former Nebraska all-state guard Jamie Kissinger (Minden, Neb.) who was the older sister of 2020-21 Husker senior guard Taylor Kissinger. Fisher, who was an assistant at Old Dominion for Nebraska Coach Amy Williams‘ final collegiate game in the second round of the 1998 NCAA Tournament, spent six seasons as the head coach at Wyoming (1998-99 to 2002-03) before spending two years on the Husker staff, took over the USD program in 2005-06. From 2011-12 through 2015-16, the Toreros posted five consecutive seasons with 22 or more wins.

The 2021-22 Toreros are off to a strong start with a 4-1 record, including a 68-64 win over Fresno State on Friday in the opening game of The Dana on Mission Bay Holiday Tournament. Steph Gorman, a 6-0 junior guard from Wodonga, Victoria, Australia, led USD with 17 points in the win over the Bulldogs. The Utah State transfer is averaging 9.5 points per game after making her first start of the season.

Jordyn Edwards, a 5-8 guard, was the only Torero averaging in double figures through four contests but slipped to 8.6 points per game following the win over Fresno State. Fellow graduate student Sydney Hunter (7.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and redshirt senior Kendall Bird (7.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg).

Redshirt junior Kiera Oakry (7.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg) rounds out an experienced probable starting five for San Diego. 

The Toreros also have one of the deepest benches the Huskers will face this season, with 16 players contributing so far this season, including Erica Martinsen. The 5-9 redshirt senior has started three games and averaged 7.2 points and 2.4 rebounds. Kylie Horstmeyer (5.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg), Kasey Neubert (5.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg), Myah Pace and Ayanna Khalfani are just a handful of reserves who provided significant contributions. 

Nebraska vs. San Diego Series History

Nebraska leads the all-time series with San Diego, 2-0, including a 62-61 win at the Surf & Slam Hoop Classic at the Jenny Craig Pavilion on Dec. 28, 2002. Husker Margaret Richards hit a game-winning baseline jumper to cap a huge comeback against the Toreros. 

Nebraska’s first meeting with San Diego came in the first round of the 1993 NCAA Tournament, when the Huskers rolled to an 81-58 win on St. Patrick’s Day at the Devaney Center. The victory was NU’s first-NCAA Tournament in school history. Nafeesah Brown led the Big Red with 26 points, 13 rebounds and six steals, while 1993 Wade Trophy winner Karen Jennings added 14 points and eight boards.