The Nebraska baseball team erupted for nine runs in the first two innings and held on for a 12-9 win over Sam Houston in the nightcap of a doubleheader on Saturday at Don Sanders Stadium in Huntsville, Texas.

Nebraska (1-2) scored 12 runs on 13 hits and two errors, while the Bearkats tallied nine runs, 10 hits and two errors.

Luke Jessen led the Big Red at the plate, going three-for-five with two runs and a walk. Leighton Banjoff was 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI, a pair of runs and a walk. Griffin Everitt went 2-for-5 with a pair of RBI and a run. Brice Matthews knocked in two runs and Max Anderson touched home a team-high three times. Six Huskers recorded one hit apiece.

Making his Husker debut, Dawson McCarville got the no-decision after dealing four innings. McCarville allowed three runs, one earned, on five hits and posted three strikeouts. Mason Ornelas recorded the win in the Husker debut, tossing three innings in relief. Ornelas allowed four runs, two earned, on three hits and struck out four Bearkats. CJ Hood, Jake Bunz and Drew Christo combined to pitch 1.1 innings, while Colby Gomes took the mound to record the final two outs.

Banjoff and Jessen started the second game with back-to-back hits after Banjoff doubled to the wall in the corner of right field and Jessen dropped a single into left field. Anderson followed with an RBI single down the right field line to plate Banjoff and give the Huskers a 1-0 lead. Gomes lifted a sacrifice fly to center to score Jessen and double the lead. Everitt ripped an RBI double into the gap in right center to plate Anderson and later raced home after Luke Sartori reached on a fielding error to give the Huskers a 4-0 lead in the first.

Sam Houston capitalized on a two-out throwing error by the Huskers with back-to-back RBI doubles by Carlos Contreras and Tyler Davis to cut the Nebraska lead in half after the first inning.

The Nebraska offense carried the momentum into the second frame, pouring on five runs on two hits and a Bearkat error to expand the lead to 9-2. Banjoff led off with a walk and Jessen raced down the line to beat out the throw on a bunt single. Anderson loaded the bases after being hit by the pitch and Gomes drew a walk on full count to score Banjoff. Matthews drilled a two-RBI double to left center to bring home Anderson and Jessen. Gomes touched home after Cam Chick reached on a throwing error by the Bearkat shortstop to cap the scoring for the Big Red in the second.

The Bearkats plated their third run of the game in the bottom of the fourth on a fielder's choice, but the Huskers were able to get the run back in the top of the fifth. Chick singled to left, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Efry Cervantes and came around to score on Banjoff's RBI single through the left side.

The Huskers tacked on a run in the eighth to expand the lead over the Bearkats, 11-3. Jessen reached base for the fourth time in the game with a walk before Gomes blasted a ground-rule double to left center to put runners on second and third with one out. Everitt picked up his second RBI of the game with an RBI groundout to the shortstop to bring home Anderson.

Sam Houston trimmed the NU lead in half at 11-7 with four runs on three hits and a Nebraska error. A walk, an error and a single loaded the bases before Luke Repka unleashed a two-RBI double to center with no outs. A wild pitch scored the Bearkats' third run of the inning, followed by a sacrifice fly from Clayton Chadwick to bring home Repka.

Nebraska added a run in the ninth when Garrett Anglim smacked a double to left and Cervantes reached on an infield single before Banjoff brought home Anglim on a sacrifice fly to left.

The Bearkats clawed back within three in the bottom of the ninth with a two-run homer. Gomes took the mound and recorded the final two outs to clinch the 12-9 victory for Nebraska.

The Huskers and Bearkats wrap up the weekend series with the series finale tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Don Sanders Stadium in Huntsville, Texas. 

Huskers Drop Game One of Saturday's Doubleheader

The Nebraska baseball team dropped game one of the doubleheader on Saturday, as the Huskers fell 5-1 in a seven-inning affair at Sam Houston in Huntsville, Texas.

The Huskers (0-2) scored one run on five hits and committed two errors, while the Bearkats (2-0) had five runs on eight hits and an error.

Luke Jessen had a team-high two hits, followed by Leighton Banjoff, Colby Gomes and Luke Sartori with one hit each.

Shay Schanaman fell to 0-1 on the year after allowing four runs, three earned, on six hits and four strikeouts in the four-inning start. Ethan Bradford tossed the final two innings in scoreless relief. The junior allowed two hits and had a pair of strikeouts.

The Huskers opened the scoring in the second with an RBI single by Sartori to give the Big Red a 1-0 lead. Griffin Everitt reached with one out on a muffed throw by the Bearkat first baseman and advanced to third on Jessen's two-out single in his first collegiate at-bat. With runners on first and third and two outs, Sartori lined a 1-2 pitch back up the middle to plate Nebraska's first run.

Sam Houston raced out to a 4-1 lead after scoring four runs on a three hits and Husker fielding error in the third. A leadoff bunt single and a fielding error by Core Jackson put runners on first and third with no outs before Clayton Chadwick's RBI double to right center scored the game's tying run. An RBI single to a diving Brice Matthews up the middle behind second base, a bases-loaded walk and a sacrifice fly to right put the Bearkats ahead by three. With runners on first and second, Leighton Banjoff made a diving catch down the right field line to get the Big Red out of the jam.

The Bearkats added a run in the fifth to grow the lead to 5-1. Justin Wishkoski began the inning with a triple to right center before Bradford took the mound and retired the next two batters on strikeouts. Easton Loyd's RBI single ricocheted off the glove of Max Anderson and kicked into shallow left field to score Wishkoski.

A Pair of Grand Slams Lifts Huskers to Win Over Bears

The Nebraska softball team moved to 5-4 after a five inning win over the Northern Colorado Bears (1-7). A pair of grand slams from Cam Ybarra and Billie Andrews lifted the Huskers to a 15-3 win Saturday afternoon.

Along with the grand slams from Ybarra and Andrews, Sydney Gray added a pair of her own home runs, a two-run homer in the top of the first and a two-run homer in the top of the fifth. This is the second game this weekend that the Huskers have recorded four or more home runs in a game. 

In the circle, Olivia Ferrell (1-2) pitched four innings, recording six strikeouts. Kaylin Kinney came in for the fifth inning to close it out for NU, allowing two hits and a run. 

For the Bears, Isabelle Dinapoli (0-3) received the loss after giving up three hits and six runs in 1.1 innings. Erin Caviness pitched 3.2 innings, tallying nine hits and nine runs while walking three. 

The Huskers struck early after Ybarra hit a double to get on base and Gray hit a two-run homer to put NU on the board early in the top of the first inning. 

The Bears responded in the bottom of the first. Riley Plogger hit a double down the left field line to be in scoring position. It was followed up with a single from Kaileigh Holland to left center that scored Plogger. A walk added another runner while a single down the right field line from Jenna Kobernick brought in another run. UNC evened it out to 2-2 heading into the top of the second. 

The game was not even for long as Brooke Andrews reached base on a walk. Abbie Squier added a single and Billie Andrews was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Ybarra nailed a grand slam deep to right center to make it a 6-2 game. 

The Big Red added another run in the top of the third inning. Peyton Glatter reached base on a walk, and then Caitlynn Neal came in to pinch run for the junior. Abby Newlun singled to shortstop and looked to advance to second. On the throw, Neal scored before Newlun was tagged out, extending the lead to 7-2.

An eight-run fifth inning sealed the deal on the victory for Nebraska. Gray singled to the shortstop to reach first. Kinney reached on a fielder's choice; however, Gray was out at second. Courtney Wallace hit a single to center field, advancing Kinney, and a single from Neal loaded the bases. Brooke Andrews hit a big double down the left field line to score Wallace and Kinney. Squier walked to load the bases again, and Billie Andrews took advantage with a deep ball over the right center fence for the second grand slam of the game. Ybarra followed up with a single through the right side of the field. Gray added another two-run homer on the day with a deep ball over the right center fence.

Northern Colorado looked to come back in the bottom of the fifth inning. Kinney came in to pitch and walked the first batter. A single from Holland put a runner in scoring position, but Peyton Gale grounded into a double play. Kobernick singled to right center to bring in a run, but it was not enough for the Bears as the Huskers were able to win 15-3 in five innings. 
The Huskers return to action Sunday, Feb. 20, at 10 a.m. CT to face Southeastern Louisiana. The game will broadcasted live on the Huskers Radio Network and Huskers.com with the play-by-play call from Nate Rohr. 

Game Notes 

• Cam Ybarra recorded a grand slam in the top of the second inning. 
• Billie Andrews recorded a grand slam in the top of the fifth inning. 
• The last time the Huskers had two grand slams was against Wisconsin on April 30, 2014 when Taylor Edwards and Hailey Decker combined for two in a 12-0, 5 inning win. 
• Sydney Gray recorded two two-run home runs during the game. 
• This marks the second game this weekend that the Huskers have recorded four or more home runs in a game. 
• McKinley Malecha made her first appearance behind the plate in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Huskers Notch Highest Team Score of Season at Big Five Meet

The Nebraska women's gymnastics team competed at the Big Five tournament on Saturday night, finishing in second place. The Huskers finished with a season-best 196.750. 

The Huskers outscored No. 6 Minnesota as the Gophers finished with a team score of 196.500. Penn State finished in fourth with a team score of 196.125 while Rutgers earned a fifth-place finish with a team score of 195.475. 

No. 14 Michigan State took home the team title with a 196.975. 

Clara Colombo took home the uneven bars title after notching a career-high 9.900 on the event. Kathryn Thaler claimed the second event title with a personal best 9.950 on balance beam. 

Rotation One 
The Huskers started on beam with a team score of 49.300. Kathryn Thaler led NU with a career high 9.950. Makayla Curtis followed closely with a personal best 9.900. Kaitlyn Higgins and Emma Spence each notched a 9.825. Kinsey Davis earned a 9.800 while Ayzhia Hall tallied a 9.750. 

Thaler earned a share of the beam title with Minnesota's Lexy Ramler, who also finished with a 9.950. 

Rotation Two
Nebraska had a bye during rotation two of the night. 

Rotation Three
Competing on floor, the Huskers received a season-high team score of 49.325. Kaitlyn Higgins led the Huskers with a 9.900, matching her career-high. Kylie Piringer notched a season-best 9.875 while Makayla Curtis, Katie Kuenemann and Emma Spence all followed closely with a 9.850. Ayzhia Hall rounded out the rotation with a 9.825. 

Minnesota's Mya Hooten claimed the event title on floor with a 9.975. 

Rotation Four 
The Big Red earned a team score of 48.900 on vault. Kinsey Davis led NU with a 9.825 while Kylie Piringer earned a 9.800. Ayzhia Hall and Kaitlyn Higgins each notched a 9.775 while Makayla Curtis and Emma Spence finished with a 9.725. 

Jessica Johnson from Penn State earned the event title on vault with a 9.900. 

Rotation Five
NU finished the night on uneven bars, earning a team score of 49.225 matching the season-high. Clara Colombo led the team with a career-high score of 9.900 to win the event title. Kinsey Davis followed closely with a 9.875 while Emma Simpton earned her personal best with a 9.850. Kathryn Thaler and Genesis Gibson both earned a 9.800 while Emma Spence finished the night with a 9.325.

Colombo claimed the uneven bars title with her score of 9.900. 

All-Around Competition
Emma Spence competed in the all-around for Nebraska, finishing with a 38.725 to finish in fifth. Lexy Ramler from Minnesota earned the all-around title with a score of 39.575. 

Next Up 
The Huskers are back in action next Saturday, Feb. 26 in Lincoln, Neb., when they face the Michigan Wolverines at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The meet is set to start at 2:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcasted live on the Big Ten Network. Tickets can be purchased online at Huskers.com/Tickets.

Nebraska Falls to Oklahoma in Tough Loss

Norman, Okla.- The Nebraska men's gymnastics team traveled down to Norman, Oklahoma where they battled against the Sooners ending in a tough loss of 403.300-414.100. 

Despite the loss, the Huskers worked to earn two event titles. Evan Kriley impressed with his talent posting a 14.50 on pommel, gaining the title and falling in second place in the national NCAA individual vault rankings. Jake Bonnay registered an impressive 14.25 on floor and tied for the first place title on floor with Vitaliy Guimaraes from Oklahoma.

The Huskers battled to earn six individual career-highs throughout the competition tonight.

Rotation One
Starting off the meet on floor, Charlie Giles led the Huskers lineup notching a 13.80. Freshman Chris Hiser followed by posting a 12.00, while sophomore Taylor Christopulos notched a 13.80. Jake Bonnay picked up the momentum for NU after notching a 14.25, good for the event title. Sam Phillips anchored the first rotation with a score of 13.25.

Oklahoma led the Huskers after the first rotation with an overall score of 69.700-67.100.

Rotation Two
The Huskers stayed electric moving into the second rotation on pommel horse where they claimed an overall season-high team score of 67.450. Evan Kriley led the Big Red and registered a score of 14.50, taking the pommel title and collecting a career-high. Not far behind, Khalil Jackson notched an impressive career-high score of 14.10 to show off his strength. Yanni Chronopoulos and Charlie Giles followed behind, notching a 13.40 and 13.30 respectively. Rounding out the rotation, freshman Travis Wong finished with a 12.15.

Nebraska moved into the third rotation trailing closely behind Oklahoma 134.550-136.500. 

Rotation Three
Senior Dylan LeClair led the team through the third rotation on rings earning a career-high 13.85. Junior Dylan Young put up a 13.60 and junior Liam Doherty-Herwitz scored a 12.60. Following behind, junior Moritz Mueller and sophomore Yanni Chronopoulos earned a 12.20 and 11.60 respectively. 

The Huskers went into their fourth rotation after tallying a score of 198.400, following the Sooners score of 204.900.

Rotation Four
NU picked up momentum as they moved to vault for the fourth rotation against the Sooners. Junior Sam Phillips registered a career-high 14.70 and tied for second overall on vault. Donte McKinney claimed a season-high of 14.65. Taylor Christopulos put up a 14.65 while teammate Charlie Giles notched a 14.50. Liam Doherty-Herwitz anchored the rotation with a score of 13.10.

The squad moved into the fifth rotation with a score of 270.00-277.300.

Rotation Five
Battling the competition on parallel bars, Dylan LeClair led the lineup with a 13.55. Following behind, Doherty-Herwitz posted a 13.35 while Bonnay notched a respective season-best of 13.50. Kriley scored a 12.90 respectively. Captain Dillan King anchored the rotation with a score of 13.55.

The Huskers headed into the final rotation falling behind the Sooners 336.850-346.100.

Rotation Six
The Big Red fired their way into the sixth and final rotation on high bar, led by senior Khalil Jackson posting a 13.70. Christopulos notched a 13.40 followed by Chronopoulos scoring a 13.15. King earned a respective 12.90. Sam Phillips rounded out the night for NU with a score of 13.30.

Despite the energetic and competitive performance from the Huskers, Nebraska fell to the Oklahoma Sooners 403.300-414.200.

Up Next
Nebraska is headed back home to Lincoln where they are set to host four teams including Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, and KC United club team at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The meet will begin at 5:00 p.m. CT and will include a Herbie Bobblehead Giveaway.

Huskers Conclude Week at Big Tens

Madison, Wisc.-- The Nebraska swimming and diving team closed the 2022 Big Ten Championships on Saturday with high performances across the board.

Sophomores Sarah Barton and Madesyn Ronquillio started the day off for the Huskers by landing spots in the 200 backstroke C-finals. Ronquillio, the senior from Tracy, Calif., dropped over a second off her prelims time to place 20th overall with a 1:57.67. Barton followed by swimming a 1:59.46 to place 23rd.

Senior Autumn Haebig earned a spot in the finals for the third time this conference meet, where she cruised to win the 100 freestyle C-final and placed 17th overall with a 49.09. This marked Haebig's career-best time and moved her up to third on Nebraska's all-time list.

Freshman Maia Hall and sophomore Ella Stein represented NU in the 100 breaststroke B-final, while freshman JoJo Randby qualified for the C-final. Hall (Whitby, England) finished 12th with a 2:12.66, Stein (Hudson, Wis.) placed 14th with a 2:13.42 and Randby (Omaha, Neb.) claimed 20th with a 2:14.89. Hall's prelims time of 2:11.72 places her fifth on Nebraska's all-time list.

The Huskers had a big performance in the 200 butterfly, with Maggie Berning notching the top seed in the B-final. The senior from Kettering, Ohio went on to swim a 1:57.32, the third-fastest time in Nebraska school history. Senior Shannon Stott and Junior Berkeley Livingston both qualified for the C-final in the event. Each of them knocked off nearly a second and a half in the finals to grab 17th (1:58.94) and 19th (2:00.06), respectively.

The top finishers for the Huskers in the 1,650 freestyle were seniors Audrey Coffey and Rachel Powers and junior Molly Rosenthal. Coffey (Naperville, Ill.) swam to 19th with a 16:41.71, Powers (Sun Prairie, Wis.) swam a 16:42.62 to place 20th and Rosenthal (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) swam to 21st with a 16:42.77. Rosenthal's time was an entire 10 seconds faster than her previous career-best.

Ohio State took the team crown with 1,303 points, while NU finished in ninth with 423 points.

Huskers Fall to Murray State at NCAA Qualifiers

Lincoln, Neb.- The Nebraska rifle team lost to Murray State by a score of 4,698-4,685 on Saturday in the NCAA Qualifier.

Sophomore captain Cecelia Ossi placed second overall with an aggregate score of 1,178. She was joined in the top ten by fifth-year Emily Cheramie (1,170, seventh), sophomore Madelynn Erickson (1,169, eighth) and freshman Mackenzie Strauch (1,168, ninth).

"The team did well to bring a solid smallbore score together. Mackenzie [Strauch] not only broke 580s but set a personal best as well," Head Coach Mindy Miles said of the match. "We have the possibility to send a couple to the NCAA Championships as individuals in smallbore, but everything depends on how today shakes out. As for air, I'm disappointed the team is not averaging 590+ individually to contribute to a decent air score."

In the smallbore, Ossi earned runner-up honors with a 586 and Cheramie placed third with a 585. They were rounded out by Erickson in seventh (582) and Strauch in eighth (582). Strauch posted her personal best smallbore score today.

Ossi led the Huskers with a fourth place finish and score of 592 in the air rifle. She was followed by Erickson in ninth with a 587.

The NCAA Rifle Selection Show will air on Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. central on NCAA.com and the Huskers will find out if they made the NCAA Tournament. Watch huskers.com and the rifle social media pages (@nebraskarifle) for updates. 

Huskers Shoot for 20th Win

Nebraska Cornhuskers (19-7, 8-7 Big Ten)
vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers (12-15, 5-10 Big Ten)
Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022, 2 p.m. (CT)
Pinnacle Bank Arena - Lincoln, Nebraska
Special Event: Play4Kay - Pink Game
Live Video: B1G+
Live Radio: Huskers Radio Network (1:45 p.m.)
Matt Coatney (PBP), Jeff Griesch (Analyst)
Lincoln (107.3 FM), Omaha (ESPN 590 AM), Huskers.com, Huskers App

Huskers Shoot for 15th Home Win in Pink Game
The Nebraska women's basketball team takes aim at its 20th win of the season and 15th victory at Pinnacle Bank Arena when the Huskers play host to Minnesota in the annual Pink Game on Sunday.

Tip-off between the Huskers (19-7, 8-7 Big Ten) and the Golden Gophers (12-15, 5-10 Big Ten) is set for 2 p.m. (CT) p.m.  Live video will be provided to subscribers of B1G+, while Matt Coatney and Jeff Griesch describe the action on the Huskers Radio Network (B107.3 FM, Lincoln; ESPN 590 AM, Omaha), the Huskers App and Huskers.com.

Nebraska will be recognizing survivors and supporting those in their current battles with cancer while raising awareness of all types of the disease as part of Play4Kay Day at PBA.   

The Huskers hope to bounce back from an 83-76 loss at Penn State on Thursday. Nebraska led 68-55 with 7:35 left, before the Lady Lions responded with a 15-0 run in the next 90 seconds. It marked NU's first loss of the season when leading after three quarters. Nebraska was a perfect 19-0 when leading after three periods.

Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Year front-runner Alexis Markowski continued her impressive season by leading the Huskers with 23 points and seven rebounds. Markowski, who is averaging 17.2 points and 8.9 rebounds the past 13 games as a starter, leads all Big Ten freshmen in scoring (12.9 ppg) and rebounding (7.7 rpg).

Markowski, a six-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week, is the only Power Five freshman to average at least 12.0 points and 6.0 rebounds. The only other Big Ten freshman averaging double-figure points is Michigan State's Matilda Ekh (12.2 ppg). Markowski owns five 20-point games and three 15-rebound efforts in the Big Ten. Three of her five double-doubles this year have come in February (Rutgers, Ohio State, Indiana).

Despite the loss, Nebraska showed its balance at Penn State by placing five in double figures for the second straight game. Isabelle Bourne had 15 points for her sixth straight double-digit effort.

Jaz Shelley had 10 points, five rebounds and five assists at PSU and continues to be the only Big Ten player to rank among the top 20 in the league in scoring (18th, 12.2 ppg), rebounding (10th, 7.1 rpg), assists (6th, 4.8 apg), steals (8th, 1.8 spg) and blocked shots (2nd, 1.2 bpg).

Sam Haiby added 11 points, five rebounds and six assists at Penn State.

Nebraska Cornhuskers (19-7, 8-7 Big Ten)
34 - Isabelle Bourne - 6-2 - So.- F - 10.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg
40 - Alexis Markowski - 6-3 - Fr. - F/C - 12.9 ppg, 7.7 rpg
1 - Jaz Shelley - 5-9 - So. - G - 12.2 ppg, 7.1 rpg
3 - Allison Weidner - 5-10 - Fr. - G - 6.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg
4 - Sam Haiby - 5-9 - Jr. - G - 10.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg
Off the Bench
14 - Bella Cravens - 6-3 - Jr. - F - 6.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg
21 - Annika Stewart - 6-3 - Fr. - F - 5.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg
32 - Kendall Coley - 6-2 - Fr. - F/G - 2.6 ppg, 1.9 rpg
11 - Ruby Porter - 5-10 - Fr. - G - 2.4 ppg, 1.0 rpg
10 - Whitney Brown - 5-8 - Fr. - G - 2.1 ppg, 0.7 rpg
5 - MiCole Cayton - 5-9 - Gr. - G - 1.9 ppg, 0.9 rpg
15 - Kendall Moriarty - 6-1 - Fr. - G - 1.5 ppg, 0.5 rpg
Head Coach: Amy Williams (Nebraska, 1998)
Sixth Season at Nebraska (91-82); 15th Season Overall (284-191)

Minnesota Golden Gophers (12-15, 5-10 Big Ten)
12 - Laura Bagwell Katalinich - 6-0 - Gr. - F - 4.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg
54 - Alanna Micheaux - 6-2 - Fr. - F - 5.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg
3 - Deja Winters - 5-11 - Gr. - G - 12.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg
13 - Gadiva Hubbard - 5-9 - Gr. - G - 6.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg
14 - Sara Scalia - 5-10 - Jr. - G - 17.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg
Off the Bench
30 - Kadi Sissoko - 6-2 - RJr. - F - 9.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg
1 - Alexia Smith - 5-8 - So. - G - 3.4 ppg, 1.5 rpg
35 - Bailey Helgren - 6-5 - Gr. - C - 1.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg
21 - Caroline Strande - 5-11 - So. - G - 1.4 ppg, 0.4 rpg
10 - Erin Hedman - 6-3 - So. - F - 1.0 ppg, 0.8 rpg
25 - Klarke Sconiers - 6-2 - Jr. - C - 1.0 ppg, 1.9 rpg
15 - Kayla Mershon - 6-3 - Sr. - F - 0.9 ppg, 1.5 rpg
5 - Maggie Czinano - 6-0 - Fr. - G - 0.2 ppg, 0.5 rpg
Head Coach: Lindsay Whalen (Minnesota, 2004)
Fourth Season at Minnesota (57-54); Fourth Season Overall (57-54)

Nebraska Numbers to Watch
• Nebraska will be shooting for its second 20-win season under Coach Amy Williams, joining the 2017-18 squad that finished with 21 victories. NU has a total of 17 20-win seasons in program history.

• Nebraska is 14-1 at Pinnacle Bank Arena with a pair of wins over top-10 foes (No. 5 Indiana, Feb. 14; No. 8 Michigan, Jan. 4). It marks NU's most home wins since going 15-4 at PBA in 2015-16. The school record for home wins in a season is 16 (3 times, 1997-98, 2009-10, 2013-14).

• Nebraska's two wins over top-10 opponents represent the second time in school history that the Huskers have posted multiple wins over top-10 teams in the same season, joining the 2009-10 campaign when NU recorded three top-10 victories.

• Through games Feb. 17, the Huskers ranked among the top 25 teams nationally in assists (6th, 454), total rebounds (8th, 1,124), scoring offense (11th, 78.2), scoring margin (13th, +15.7), assists per game (14th, 17.5 apg), rebounds per game (14th, 43.2 rpg), three-point field goals made (16th, 218), assist-to-turnover ratio (16th, 1.20), defensive rebounds per game (19th, 29.5 rpg), three-point field goal percentage defense (23rd, .268 rpg) and three-point field goal attempts (24th, 628).

• Nebraska leads the Big Ten in scoring margin (+15.7 ppg), total rebounds (43.2 rpg), field goal percentage defense (.372) and three-point field goal percentage defense (.268).

• Alexis Markowski is a six-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week and the USBWA Tamika Catchings National Freshman of the Week (Jan. 11).

• Alexis Markowski ranks second among all Power Five conference freshmen in points (336) while leading all Power Five freshmen in rebounds (199). She is the only Power Five freshman averaging 12.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.

• Nebraska guard Jaz Shelley is the only player to rank among the top 20 players in the Big Ten in scoring (18th, 12.2 ppg), rebounding (10th, 7.1 rpg), assists (6th, 4.8 apg), blocked shots (2nd, 1.2 bpg) and steals (8th, 1.8 spg).

• Nebraska ranks 11th nationally in scoring offense with 78.2 points per game. The only time in the last 25 years NU has averaged more than 75 points per game in a season came in 2009-10 (77.4 ppg). That Husker team went unbeaten in the regular season, won the Big 12 regular-season title and advanced to Nebraska's first NCAA Sweet Sixteen as a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.    

• Sophomore point guard Jaz Shelley has pulled down 178 total rebounds in 749 minutes this season. In two seasons (971 minutes) at Oregon (2019-20, 2020-21), the 5-9 Shelley totaled 70 rebounds.

• Jaz Shelley leads Nebraska with 30 blocked shots in 25 games. She had six blocks in 55 games over two seasons at Oregon.

• In 26 games in 2021-22, Nebraska has far surpassed its season steals total (120, 26 games) from a year ago. The Huskers own 195 steals this season. The last time NU had 200 steals in a season came with 221 in 2018-19.

• Nebraska's minus-21 foul disparity (28-7) at Iowa (Jan. 16) marked the largest foul differential in program history (by NU or opponent) in 1,454 games over 48 seasons. It marked the first time in history that a Husker team held a negative foul differential of greater than 17. In NU's other 25 games this season, the Huskers own a positive foul differential of +1.6.

• Nebraska has hit 218 threes this season, which is tied for sixth in school history. NU's record for made threes came with 250 (2017-18) when the Huskers earned their last NCAA Tournament bid.

Scouting The Minnesota Golden Gophers
• Head coach Lindsay Whalen leads her fourth Minnesota team to Nebraska with a 12-15 overall record that includes a 5-10 Big Ten mark. The Golden Gophers are coming off a 79-61 home loss to Rutgers on Thursday. Minnesota went just 8-for-34 (.235) from inside the arc in the loss, while going 8-for-20 (.400) from three-point range and 21-of-24 (.875) at the free throw line. The Gophers got out-rebounded 44-28 by the Scarlet Knights.

• Minnesota is led by junior guard Sara Scalia, who is averaging 17.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists. She scored 20 points and hit 4-of-7 threes in a 70-67 loss to Nebraska to open Big Ten play (Dec. 6).

• The Gophers were hit with the departure of second-team All-Big Ten guard Jasmine Powell in late-January. Powell was averaging 12.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and a team-leading 5.7 assists. However, Powell did not play in the first meeting with NU. Minnesota is 3-3 without her, including road losses at top-25 Indiana (80-70) and Iowa (88-78). With Powell, the Gophers lost 105-49 to Iowa on Jan. 20.

• Deja Winters gives Minnesota a second starter averaging double figures with 12.1 points and 3.4 rebounds. Winters, a 5-11 guard, leads the Gophers with 27 blocks and 44 steals. She has been a knock-down three-point shooter, connecting on 42.9 percent (69-161) of her threes. A two-time transfer from North Carolina A&T and Seton Hall, Winters has hit 11-of-21 threes the past three games and has made 33 consecutive free throws dating back to a miss against UConn on Nov. 20.

• Kadi Sissoko, a redshirt junior from Paris, France, adds an inside presence with 9.3 points and a team-leading 5.1 rebounds. The 6-2 forward had the best game of her career in the first meeting with Nebraska this season, pouring in 25 points on 10-of-19 shooting.

• Graduate guard Gadiva Hubbard (6.3 ppg), true freshman Alanna Micheaux (5.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and graduate Laura Bagwell Katalinich (4.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg) round out Minnesota's probable starters. Last season in Lincoln, Hubbard had 18 points and hit five threes in a Gopher win.

Nebraska vs. Minnesota Series History
• Nebraska leads the all-time series with Minnesota 16-12 after working its way to a 70-67 road win in Minneapolis to open Big Ten on Dec. 6. The Huskers have won back-to-back games against the Golden Gophers, including a 72-61 victory at the 2021 Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis.

• Nebraska owns an 11-4 all-time edge in Lincoln and is 2-0 at the Big Ten Tournament, but the Huskers are 3-8 against the Gophers in Minneapolis. NU owns an 11-7 advantage as Big Ten foes.

• Jaz Shelley and Bella Cravens each scored 15 points to lead Nebraska to victory at Williams Arena in December, while Sam Haiby scored 10 of her 13 points in the fourth quarter to rally NU from a four-point deficit with four minutes left. Isabelle Bourne pitched in 10 points.

• Kadi Sissoko led Minnesota with 25 points on 10-of-19 shooting, while Sara Scalia added 20 points and seven rebounds.

• Although women's basketball was not a full varsity sport at Nebraska until 1975-76, a women's team from Nebraska suffered its first defeat at Minnesota in 1904 after going unbeaten in 1897 and 1903. Two weeks after the first meeting with Minnesota, Nebraska beat the same team in Lincoln.

• Minnesota's Laura Coenen scored 42 points for the Gophers in a 90-79 win over the Huskers on Nov. 30, 1984. That effort is tied for the most points by any opponent individual against the Huskers.

Markowski Making Case for Freshman All-American
• Alexis Markowski is making her mark as a true freshman for her hometown Huskers. The 6-3 forward/center from Lincoln leads Nebraska with 12.9 points and 7.7 rebounds per game - the only Big Ten freshman to lead her team in scoring and rebounding.

• A six-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week, Markowski has increased her production to 17.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals over the past 13 games as a Big Ten starter. She has hit 57.2 percent from the field and 54.5 percent (12-22) from three-point range during that stretch

• Markowski has captured four of the past six Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Week awards and was named the USBWA Tamika Catchings National Freshman of the Week (Jan. 11).

• Alexis Markowski ranks second among all Power Five conference freshmen in points (336) while leading all Power Five freshmen in rebounds (199). She is the only Power Five freshman averaging 12.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.

• Among all freshmen nationally, Markowski's 238 points in conference play trail only DePaul's Aneesah Morrow (389, BIG EAST), Buffalo's Georgia Woolley (248, MAC) and ORU's Tirzah Moore (245, Summit).  Markowski's 125 total rebounds in Big Ten action trail only Morrow (257), Loyola Maryland's Lex Therien (164, Patriot) and Wyoming's Allyson Fertig (133, Mountain West) among all freshmen nationally in their respective conferences.

• Markowski's numbers compare favorably to the freshman campaigns of the three best forwards in Husker history, including 1993 Wade Trophy winner and first-team All-American Karen Jennings (13.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1989-90); 2010 first-team All-American Kelsey Griffin (13.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2005-06) and 2014 first-team All-American Jordan Hooper (14.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2010-11).