Huskers Triumph Over Cowgirls with Impressive Second-Half Performance

Laramie, Wyoming – In an electrifying Friday night showdown, the Nebraska women’s basketball team showcased their resilience and strength, overturning an early deficit to clinch a commanding 71-52 victory over the Wyoming Cowgirls. This win propelled the Huskers to an undefeated 2-0 start to the season, while Wyoming fell to 1-1.

The spotlight shone brightly on Alexis Markowski, who ignited Nebraska’s remarkable 19-2 run in the second half, contributing the first 10 points of this surge. Markowski’s dominant performance, culminating in 17 points and 13 rebounds, marked her 22nd career double-double and her first in this nascent season.

Jaz Shelley added a versatile touch with 15 points, seven assists, and four rebounds, impressively accomplishing this feat without a single three-pointer. Freshman Natalie Potts also made a significant impact, adding 15 points and showcasing a stellar defensive effort.

Darian White, rounding out the Huskers’ quartet of double-digit scorers, contributed 11 points, including a pivotal three-pointer during Nebraska’s critical surge. Both White and Potts were instrumental in reversing Nebraska’s fortunes after a sluggish start.

Nebraska initially found themselves trailing 6-0 and struggled to score in the game’s opening minutes. However, Markowski’s breakthrough three-point play sparked a turnaround. Annika Stewart’s three-pointer further fueled the comeback, tying the game in the first quarter’s closing minutes.

Wyoming managed to briefly regain the lead, but a three-pointer by Potts and a basket by White brought the teams level at 15 as the second quarter commenced. Potts, White, and Shelley then took control, propelling Nebraska to its first double-digit lead and establishing a commanding presence on the court.

Jessica Petrie, a promising freshman, added to the Huskers’ momentum, capping an 18-0 run. Despite Wyoming’s late-quarter surge, Nebraska maintained a narrow lead at halftime.

The second half saw the Huskers reassert their dominance, quickly expanding their lead to double digits. Wyoming’s efforts to close the gap were in vain, as Nebraska firmly controlled the game’s remainder.

Nebraska’s shooting efficiency was a key factor in their victory, hitting 50 percent from the field. They also dominated rebounds, winning the battle of the boards 40-30. Conversely, Wyoming struggled with shooting accuracy, managing only 29.6 percent.

Malene Pedersen led the Cowgirls with 13 points, and Allyson Fertig added 11. Maren McKenna provided a scoring boost off the bench, especially in the game’s latter stages.

The Huskers now turn their attention to their next challenge, facing Alcorn State on Tuesday, November 14, at the Pinnacle Bank Arena. With their strong start to the season, Nebraska looks poised to continue their winning streak in this upcoming matchup.