The Nebraska women’s basketball team closes its two-game Big Ten home stand by battling Purdue on Wednesday night in Lincoln. Tip-off between the Huskers (14-4, 4-3 Big Ten) and the Boilermakers (12-7, 3-4 Big Ten) is set for 7 p.m. (CT) at Pinnacle Bank Arena in the only scheduled meeting between the schools this season. The game will be broadcast on KBBN 95.3 FM with coverage on the Huskers Sports Network beginning at 6:45 p.m.
Nebraska and Purdue were on opposite ends of Big Ten momentum swings on Sunday afternoon. Purdue was tied with Minnesota at 43 late in the third quarter, before the Gophers erupted on a 19-0 run to beat the Boilermakers 72-59 in West Lafayette, Ind.
Two hours later in Lincoln, the Huskers trailed Michigan by 13 points (41-28) in the third quarter before outscoring the Wolverines 42-22 over a 16-minute stretch, as Nebraska rallied for a 74-71 win.
Senior Hannah Whitish led the Big Red rally with a season-high 20 points while tying a career high with six three-pointers. Senior Nicea Eliely added all 11 of her points, including three threes, during the rally. Sophomore Sam Haiby added 18 points, including three threes of her own, as Nebraska tied a season high with 12 three-pointers.
Over the last five games, Nebraska is averaging 10.0 made threes per game, after averaging just 5.8 made threes through the first 13 contests this year.
Wednesday’s game features two of the best shot-blockers in the nation and in the history of the Big Ten Conference. Purdue senior forward Ae’Rianna Harris leads the Big Ten with 62 blocks this season, including seven against Minnesota. She ranks No. 5 in Big Ten history with 346 career blocks. Nebraska junior center Kate Cain ranks No. 2 in the Big Ten this year with 50 blocks and ranks 18th in league history with 229.
