The Nebraska men's basketball team faces a big early season test on Sunday afternoon, as the Huskers host No. 15/14 (AP/Coaches) Creighton at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Tipoff between the Huskers and Bluejays is set for 3 p.m. and a sellout crowd of well over 15,000 is expected.

The Huskers (7-0) have been off since an 85-72 win over Cal State Fullerton on Nov. 26. Rienk Mast's 19 points and nine rebounds led five Huskers in double figures, as Nebraska moved to 7-0 for the first time since the 1992-93 season. Mast hit three of Nebraska's season-high 12 3-pointers in the win over the Titans while falling one rebound shy of his fourth double-double of the season.  The 7-0 start marks the fifth time in program history that Nebraska has opened the season with seven-or-more wins. A win on Sunday would give NU its best start since 1977-78.

Best Starts in School History

No.

Wins

Year

1.

10-0

1977-78

2.

9-0

1915-16

3.

7-0

2023-24

 

7-0

1992-93

 

7-0

1984-85

 Mast has been a focal point for the Huskers this season, as the 6-foot-10 center is averaging 14.7 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. Mast, who is second in the Big Ten in both rebounds per game and double-doubles (three), has been in double figures in all seven of Nebraska's games. He showed his versatility in the win over Cal State Fullerton, going 3-of-3 from 3-point range, and he is shooting 35 percent from beyond the arc. 

Mast is one of four Huskers averaging at least 14.6 points per game, as the Huskers enter the weekend ranked fourth in the Big Ten in scoring offense at 81.6 points per game. NU has scored 80 or more points in six of its first seven games and is averaging 85.5 ppg since Juwan Gary returned to action on Nov. 15. 

Creighton (6-1) comes of a 79-65 win at Oklahoma State on Thursday. Baylor Scheierman's 21 points and eight rebounds led four Bluejays in double figures, while CU used a 17-0 run late in the first half to take control of a tight contest.

Numbers to Know
81.6 - Nebraska is averaging 81.6 points per game, which is fourth in the Big Ten as of Dec. 1. The last time NU averaged more points per game in its first seven games was in 1995-96 (89.7 ppg).

9.6 - Nebraska leads the Big Ten with 9.6 3-pointers per game as of Dec. 1. NU has averaged more than 8.0 3-pointers/game twice in program history (2001-02 and 2020-21).

7 - Nebraska has had seven runs of at least 10-0 in the first seven games of the season, including a 20-0 run against Oregon State and 17-0 against Rider. The Cal State Fullerton game was the first time this season that NU did not have a double-figure run. 

2- Nebraska matched a school record with two turnovers in the win over Duquesne on Nov. 22, matching a record originally set in 2013. As of Dec. 1, it ties for the lowest total by a power conference team in 2023-24.

1.71 - Nebraska's assist-to-turnover ratio this season, which is second in the Big Ten and in the top 20 nationally as of Dec. 1. NU's best assist-to-turnover ratio in the last decade is 1.32, set in the 2018-19 season. That season, NU had 9.96 turnovers per game, the lowest average since assists were tracked in 1978-79.

Worth Noting

  • The Huskers are 13-3 over the last 16 games dating back to Feb. 1, 2023. A big reason for that is NU's offense, as NU has averaged 77.6 ppg on 48 percent shooting in that stretch. For the first 23 games last year until Feb. 1, NU was at 65.4 ppg and scored 70 or more points seven times. NU has scored 70+ points in 14 of the past 16 games and has scored 80+ six times in seven games this season.
  • Nebraska is 20-4 under Hoiberg when scoring at least 80 points including 15-1 over the last three seasons. The only loss was a 104-100 quadruple overtime game at North Carolina State on Dec. 1, 2021. NU has won its last 13 games when reaching the 80-point plateau. 
  • Nebraska has won its first seven games by 10 or more points. It is just the second time in over 100 years - the other was in 1991-92 - that the Huskers won seven straight games by double figures. Nebraska has been stout on the defensive end during the early portion of the season. The Huskers are among the Big Ten leaders in points per game (61.9, third), field goal percentage defense (.361, third). 3-point percentage defense (.262, third) and rebound margin (+8.6, fourth).
  • Sunday's game features two teams that are among the nation's best in not fouling. Crieghton leads the nation at 9.1 fouls per game, while Nebraska is second in the Big Ten and seventh nationally at 13.1 fouls per game as of Dec. 1
  • Nebraska has been exceptional at the foul line in the last two games. The Huskers are 47-of-51 (.922) over the last two games and have posted the two highest single-game percentages in the past five years. NU's 19-of-20 effort against Cal State Fullerton, its best percentage (min. 20 att.) since going 20-of-21 (.952) against Minnesota on Nov. 26, 1995.
  • Nebraska had multiple 20-point scorers against Duquesne on Nov. 22 (Keisei Tominaga-23; Juwan-Gary 20) for the eighth time in Fred Hoiberg's five seasons.
  • Nebraska is 63-15 (.808) in non-conference games at Pinnacle Bank Arena since the building opened in 2013. NU comes into Sunday's game with a 12-game win streak at home against non-conference foes.  
  • NU will look to knock off a ranked Creighton team for the second straight year. NU is 3-12 all-time against teams ranked No. 15 in the AP Poll with wins over Colorado (1996-97), Michigan State (1994-95) and Arkansas (1983-84).
  • Nebraska is 3-3 in its last three games against ranked teams dating back to March 1, 2022.
  • Nebraska's bench has provided a spark, averaging 26.0 points per game in the first seven contests. The Huskers' leading scorer has come from the bench three times (Hoiberg-Lindenwood; Wilcher-Rider; Gary-Stony Brook), and NU has had at least one double-figure effort from its bench in all seven games.
  • Juwan Gary's 20-point effort against Duquesne on Nov. 22 marked the seventh time under Fred Hoiberg that NU had a player score at least 20 points off the bench.
  • Another area of significant improvement is reducing turnovers. Through seven games, NU is third in the Big Ten with 9.9 turnovers per game. Last year, the Huskers averaged 13.7 turnovers during their first seven contests.  

Looking at Creighton
Creighton comes to Lincoln with a 6-1 mark after defeating Oklahoma State, 79-65, on Thursday in Stillwater. The Bluejays returned three starters from a team that won 24 games and reached the Elite Eight before falling in the final seconds to San Diego State.  Creighton was picked second in the Big East preseason poll. 

The Bluejays are a potent offensive club, averaging 83.3 points per game while shooting 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from 3-point range. Creighton is among the national leaders in 3-pointers per game (12.0) and has a +10.7 rebound margin. Creighton is led by a trio of veterans in Ryan Kalkbrenner, Trey Alexander and Baylor Scheierman, all of whom average at least 15.0 points per game.  Kalkbrenner, the two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year, anchors the inside and averages 15.4 ppg on 58 percent shooting and 6.4 rebounds per game. Scheierman averages a team-high 18.6 ppg while shooting 40 percent from 3-point range and averaging a team-high 7.1 rebounds per game. Alexander is at 16.4 ppg and tops CU in assists at 4.4 per outing. 

Series History: Nebraska and Creighton are meeting for the 57th time in series history on Sunday afternoon, as Creighton holds a 29-27 lead. Creighton had won seven straight meetings between 2011 and 2017 before Nebraska snapped the streak in 2018. Creighton then won the next three before NU's win in Omaha last December. Nebraska is looking for consecutive wins in the series for the first time since winning seven straight games from 1990 to 1997.  Sunday's game will be the fifth head coaching matchup between Nebraska’s Fred Hoiberg and Creighton’s Greg McDermott. Besides the last four seasons, Iowa State beat Creighton, 91-88, at the Global Sports Hy-Vee Challenge in Des Moines, Iowa on Nov. 21, 2010.  

Last Meeting: Derrick Walker and Sam Griesel combined for 40 points and 20 rebounds, as Nebraska knocked off No. 7 Creighton, 63-53, at the CHI Health Center on Dec. 4, 2022.  Walker led three Huskers in double figures with a career-high 22 points on 11-of-16 shooting and eight boards, while Griesel added 18 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. Griesel scored six straight in a decisive run after Creighton cut an eight-point lead to 36-33 with just over 10 minutes remaining. His spurt pushed the Husker lead to nine, as Nebraska shot 52 percent in the second half and withstood a barrage of Bluejay 3-point attempts.  Creighton pulled to within 44-39 after Francisco Farabello's 4-point play, but Griesel came back with a three-point play on the ensuing possession, and Nebraska stretched the lead in the final minutes in picking up its first win over the Bluejays in Omaha since 2004. 

Last Time Out
Rienk Mast’s 19 points and nine rebounds led five Huskers in double figures, as Nebraska improved to 7-0 with an 85-72 victory over Cal State Fullerton on Nov. 26.  Mast led a balanced attack with 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including 3-of-3 from 3-point range, as Nebraska improved to 7-0 for the first time since 1992-93 and the fifth time in school history.    Nebraska, which has scored 80-or-more points in each of the last four games, got 17 points from Keisei Tominaga, who hit all five of his shots from the field, including 3-of-3 from 3-point range. Brice Williams (14), Juwan Gary (13) and Jamarques Lawrence (11) all finished in double figures, as Nebraska shot 47 percent from the field, hit a season-high 12 3-pointers and had 18 assists and just nine turnovers.

Finding Balance
Nebraska relied on its depth and balance early in the season. While the Huskers have four players averaging double figures, four others are between 5.0 and 7.4 ppg after seven games. 

  • Nebraska has had nine different players reach double figures and have six different leading scorers. Rienk Mast became the first Husker to lead NU in scoring twice with his 19-point effort against Cal State Fullerton. 
  • No Husker averages more than 28.5 minutes per game, while 10 Huskers are averaging double figures in minutes. Despite the number of different lineups NU has been forced to use, the Huskers have had at least eight players play double-figure minutes in each of the first seven games. 
  • NU has gotten at least one double-figure effort from its bench in each of the first seven contests. The Huskers have gotten over 32 percent of their scoring from the bench over the first seven contests. 

Mast's Massive Night
Rienk Mast put together a strong performance in Nebraska's win against Florida A&M on Nov. 9. The 6-foot-10 forward had game highs of 20 points and 16 rebounds for his first double-double as a Husker. 

  • He became the first Husker in the Big Ten era (2011-12 to present) to have a game with at least 20 points and 15 rebounds, and the first Husker to do so since All-Big 12 performer Aleks Maric in 2008. 
  • Since 1990, only six Huskers have had games with at least 20 points and 15 rebounds. That list includes Aleks Maric, Kimani Ffriend, Venson Hamilton, Mikki Moore and Eric Piatkowski. 
  • Mast’s 16 rebounds were the most by a Husker since Yvan Ouedraogo had 19 rebounds against Northwestern on March 1, 2020, and the second-highest rebound total in Hoiberg’s four-plus seasons at Nebraska.
  • Mast enters the weekend in the top-20 in the Big Ten in both scoring (14.7 ppg) and rebounding (10.1 rpg) while averaging 2.9 assists per game. Mast is the only power conference player in the nation - and one of eight players nationally - averaging a double-double with at least 2.5 assists per game as of Dec. 1.

New Faces, New Roles
Nebraska made a big splash in the transfer portal, adding five players to the roster, and their impact is already being felt during the early portion of the season. The group of Josiah Allick (New Mexico), Jarron Coleman (Bradley), Rienk Mast (Bradley), Ahron Ulis (Iowa) and Brice Williams (Charlotte) combined for more than 4,300 points, 2,100 rebounds and 800 assists entering this year.

  • Mast is averaging 14.7 points per game while leading the Huskers in rebounding (10.1 rpg) and ranks second in assists (2.9 apg). He is the only power conference player as of Dec. 1 averaging at least 10.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Mast currently ranks second in the Big Ten in rebounding and 16th in scoring.  The 6-foot-10 forward has been in double figures in all seven contests - the only Husker to do so - including a 20-point, 16-rebound effort against Florida A&M. He is also third in the Big Ten with three double-doubles this season and has 23 career double-doubles, a total which is 20th nationally and second among active Big Ten players.
  • Allick has been a force inside, averaging 7.4 points per game and 5.9 rebounds per game. He is 18th in the Big Ten in rebounds and is a big reason why the Huskers are among the Big Ten leaders in rebounding margin. Allick has three double-figure efforts this season, including 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists vs. Duquesne.
  • Williams has started all seven contests and is 18th in the Big Ten in scoring at 14.6 points per game, while chipping in 4.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. The 6-foot-7 guard has been in double figures six times this season, highlighted by a 25-point effort in the win against Oregon State on Nov. 17 and a 17-point, nine-rebound, four-assist effort against Stony Brook on Nov. 15. Williams is 97 points away from 1,000 points for his career. 
  • Coleman has come off the bench in all seven contests and is second on the team in assists at 2.9 per game while posting a 1.8-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. 

Improved Board Work 
One area where Nebraska has made significant improvement is on the glass. The additions of Rienk Mast, Josiah Allick and Brice Williams along with the return of Juwan Gary have made the Huskers formidable on the glass.

  • Nebraska has a +8.3 rebound margin through seven games to rank fourth in the Big Ten. Last season the Huskers were 11th in rebound margin (-1.0).
  • NU had a positive rebound margin (+3.1) prior to Juwan Gary's season-ending injury last January. Gary was second on the team in rebounding (6.5 rpg) and 15th in the Big Ten in that category on Jan. 10. Over the final 16 games of the 2022-23 season, NU was outrebounded by 5.1 rebounds per game. 
  • Mast (MVC) and Allick (Mountain West) both ranked second in their respective conferences in 2022-23 in rebounding, while Williams was 15th in Conference USA. In addition, Mast led the MVC in rebounding during the 2021-22 season. 
  • NU out-rebounded four straight opponents by at least 10 boards from Nov. 9-18, the first time that happened since the first four games of the 2004-05 season.

Tominaga Returns to All-Big Ten Form
Nebraska's lineup has been boosted by the return of fifth-year senior Keisei Tominaga, who missed NU's first two games with an ankle injury. He is tied for third on the team in scoring at 14.6 ppg while shooting 51 percent from the field and 40 percent from 3-point range.

  • Over his last four games, Tominaga is averaging 16.0 points per game while shooting 62 percent from the field and 47 percent from 3-point range.
  • Tominaga has a season-high 23 points in NU's win over Duquesne on Nov. 18, his 11th career 20-point game. That effort was highlighted by going 9-of-10 from the foul line.
  • He comes off a perfect shooting performance against Cal State Fullerton on Nov. 26, as he went 5-of-5 from the field, including 3-of-3 from 3-point range, and 4-of-4 from the foul line.   Prior to Tominaga, the last player to have at least 15 points on a perfect shooting night was David Rivers at Michigan State on Jan. 13, 2013 (8-8 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 1-1 FT).  According to Sports Reference, it was one of seven performances in 2023-24 where a player had least 15 points on a perfect shooting night. Of those seven, only three are against Division I opponents, including two by power conference players. 

Power Conference Players with at Least 15 Points on Perfect Shooting

Player

Opponent

Date

FG

3Pt

FT

Pts

Olivier Nkamhoua  (Mich.)

Youngstown State

Nov.10

7-7

1-1

2-2

17

Keisei Tominaga (Neb.)

Cal State Fullerton

Nov. 26

5-5

3-3

4-4

17

Tominaga was named to the preseason All-Big Ten team, becoming just the third Husker to receive the honor since Nebraska joined the conference in the 2011-12 season.  Last season, he averaged 13.1 points per game on 53 percent shooting, including 40 percent from 3-point range, while appearing in all 32 contests.  Tominaga led the Huskers in 3-pointers with 66 and was one of only six players nationally to average double figures and shoot 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3-point range and 85 percent from the foul line.  During Big Ten play, he led NU in scoring at 14.2 ppg to rank 15th in the conference while also ranking among Big Ten leaders in field goal percentage (.512, seventh) and 3-pointers per game (2.3, sixth) as he shot 41 percent from beyond the arc. He had seven 20-point games during Big Ten contests, including a career-high 30-point effort against Penn State.

HUSKERS TAKE ON TOUGH TASK WITH GEORGIA TECH

The Nebraska women’s basketball team continues its three-game home stand by taking on Georgia Tech Saturday afternoon in Lincoln.

Tip-off between the Huskers (5-2) and the Yellow Jackets (5-2) at Pinnacle Bank Arena is set for 2 p.m., with tickets available now at Huskers.com. Saturday’s game will feature Nebraska’s annual U.S. Marines Toys for Tots collection. Fans are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy or a cash donation to be collected by Marine volunteers at the arena entrances.

The game also will include a “You Betcha” roller banner giveaway to lucky fans who arrive early to pick up one of the banners (limited supply).

Nebraska fans can listen across the Huskers Radio Network, including 107.3 FM in Lincoln and 590 AM in Omaha, the Huskers App and Huskers.com, as Matt Coatney and Jeff Griesch team up for their 23rd season together calling the action. Pregame starts at 1:30 p.m. (CT). 

B1G+ subscribers can also follow the game on the live video stream produced by Big Ten Student U with Matt McMaster and Camden Cohn on the call.

Nebraska hopes to build off momentum gained from a 77-53 win over Florida Atlantic on Wednesday. Alexis Markowski (18 points, 10 rebounds) and Natalie Potts (12 points, 12 rebounds) both produced double-doubles to power the Big Red to victory over the Owls.

Potts, who has won two of the first three Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Week awards, is averaging 12.6 points and 5.3 rebounds after notching her first career double-double. The 6-2 forward from O’Fallon, Mo., erupted for a career-high 22 points on 9-of-10 shooting from the field in a win over Lamar (Nov. 23) in NU’s first game at the St. Pete Showcase. The two-time Missouri High School Player of the Year has hit 30-of-38 two-point field goals (.789) and 16-of-20 free throws (.800).

Lisa Leslie Award candidate Alexis Markowski is leading the Huskers in scoring (17.4 ppg) and rebounding (9.1 rpg) while hitting 62.5 percent (40-64) of her two-point attempts. Markowski, who leads the Big Ten in rebounding, owns three double-doubles on the year and 24 in her career. 

Two-time Ann Meyers-Drysdale Award candidate Jaz Shelley adds 12.1 points, 3.0 and a team-best 2.0 steals while leading Nebraska with 11 three-pointers. 

Darian White, a four-year starter and three-time All-Big Sky performer at Montana State before transferring to Nebraska as a graduate student, rounds out four Huskers averaging in double figures. The 5-6 point guard is averaging 10.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and a team-best 3.7 assists.

Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-2, 0-0 Big Ten)
vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (5-2, 0-0 ACC)
Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, 2 p.m. (CT)
Pinnacle Bank Arena - Lincoln, Nebraska
Tickets: Huskers.com / 1-800-8-BIG-RED
Live Video: B1G+ (subscription)
Live Stats: Huskers.com
Live Radio: Huskers Radio Network (1:30 p.m.)
Matt Coatney (PBP), Jeff Griesch (Analyst)
Lincoln (107.3 FM), Omaha (590 AM), Huskers.com, Huskers App
Special Event: U.S. Marines Toys for Tots Collection
Giveaway: "You Betcha" Roller Banners (limited quantity)

Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-2, 0-0 Big Ten)
22 - Natalie Potts - 6-2 - Fr. - F/G - 12.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg
40 - Alexis Markowski - 6-3 - Jr. - C/F - 17.4 ppg, 9.1 rpg
0 - Darian White - 5-6 - Gr. - G - 10.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg
1 - Jaz Shelley - 5-9 - Gr. - G - 12.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg
42 - Maddie Krull - 5-9 - Gr. - G - 2.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg
Off the Bench
21 - Annika Stewart - 6-3 - Sr. - F - 9.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg
14 - Callin Hake - 5-9 - So. - G - 7.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg
12 - Jessica Petrie - 6-2 - Fr. - F - 5.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg
2 - Logan Nissley - 6-0 - Fr. - G - 4.7 ppg, 1.9 rpg
15 - Kendall Moriarty - 6-1 - Jr. - G - 2.7 ppg, 1.3 rpg
32 - Kendall Coley - 6-2 - Jr. - F - 2.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg
Head Coach: Amy Williams (Nebraska, 1998)
Eighth Season at Nebraska (119-101); 17th Season Overall (312-210)

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (5-2, 0-0 ACC)
11 - Aixa Wone Aranaz - 6-3 - 5th - F - 1.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg
13 - Kayla Blackshear - 6-1 - Jr. - F - 15.9 ppg, 7.3 rpg
5 - Tonie Morgan - 5-9 - So. - G - 15.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg
22 - Ines Noguero - 5-9 - So. - G - 7.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg
23 - Rusne Augustinaite - 6-0 - Fr. - G - 13.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg
Off the Bench
32 - D’Asia Thomas-Harris - 6-2 - Fr. - G/F - 6.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg
25 - Kara Dunn - 5-11 - So. - G - 5.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg
15 - Avyonce Carter - 5-10 - Sr. - G - 3.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg
21 - Sydney Johnson - 5-9 - 5th - G - 2.7 ppg, 1.6 rpg
20 - Ariadna Termis - 6-6 - Fr. - C - 2.2 ppg, 1.3 rpg
1 - Caitlyn Wilson - 5-10 - 5th - G - 1.0 ppg, 0.7 rpg
12 - Jada Bediako - 6-3 - Fr. - F/C - 0.5 ppg, 1.5 rpg
Head Coach: Nell Fortner (Texas, 1982)
Fifth Season at Georgia Tech (76-50); 14th Season Overall (238-167)

Scouting The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Coach Nell Fortner leads Georgia Tech to Lincoln after a 68-58 loss to Florida on Wednesday in Atlanta. The Yellow Jackets carry a 5-2 record in Fortner’s fifth season. Fortner, who had previous college coaching stops at Purdue (1996-97) and Auburn (2004-05 to 2011-12), led the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team to gold. She was also the head coach of the Indiana Fever for three seasons from 2001 to 2003.
 
Junior forward Kayla Blackshear leads three Yellow Jackets averaging in double figures through seven games. The 6-1 Blackshear is averaging team bests of 15.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. She had eight points and 10 rebounds in the loss to the Gators.
 
Sophomore Tonie Morgan has added 15.9 points and 7.1 boards. The 5-9 guard is also averaging 5.0 assists per contest. She had 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists against Florida.
 
Freshman Rusne Augustinaite has contributed 13.4 points and 4.1 boards through her first seven games, including a career-best 30 points on 6-of-10 three-point shooting in the loss to Florida. The 6-0 guard from Latvia is Tech’s most dangerous threat from long range, connecting on 17-of-32 threes.
 
Spaniard Ines Noguero, a 5-9 sophomore, has contributed 7.9 points and 5.3 rebounds but was held scoreless by Florida. She also leads the Yellow Jackets with 12 steals on the season. 
 
Another Spaniard, Aixa Wone Aranaz, rounds out Tech’s starting five. The 6-3 forward who transferred from Ohio State, has managed 1.9 points and 3.1 rebounds.
 
The Yellow Jackets get significant contributions off the bench from 6-2 freshman D’Asia Thomas-Harris (6.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg) and 5-11 sophomore Kara Dunn (5.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg). Dunn, who suffered an injury in the opening minute of the season opener with Coastal Carolina, missed Georgia Tech’s wins over Furman, Rice and Kennesaw State before returning with eight points in a loss to Creighton in Cancun (Nov. 23). She added a season-high 10 points in a win over New Mexico (Nov. 24).
 
Avyonce Carter (3.5 ppg) and Sydney Johnson (2.7 ppg) also have been regular contributors in the backcourt, while 6-6 freshman center Ariadna Termis has managed 2.2 points per game.
 
Georgia Tech is averaging 71.5 points while allowing 57.4 points per game. Over the last three games, Tech has managed just 56.7 points per game, including 46 to Creighton and 58 to Florida. The Yellow Jackets have hit 45 percent of their shots, while holding opponents to just 34.2 percent. Tech has hit 30 percent of its threes and 70.8 percent of its free throws, while carrying a plus-3.7 team rebound margin. The Yellow Jackets also own a plus-1.9 turnover margin. 
 
Nebraska vs. Georgia Tech Series History
Nebraska will be shooting for its first win against Georgia Tech when the two teams play the third game in series history on Saturday.
 
Saturday’s game will be the first between the two schools on a traditional home court and the first meeting in Lincoln. 
 
The most recent match-up in the series came with a 73-57 Georgia Tech victory in the Arena at Gwinnett Center on Nov. 30, 2011. Lindsey Moore led the Huskers with 16 points, four assists and five steals, while Jordan Hooper added a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds for Coach Connie Yori’s Huskers. Tyaunna Marshall led all scorers and rebounders with 28 points and 13 boards for Coach MaChelle Joseph’s Yellow Jackets.
 
Coach Agnus Berenato and Georgia Tech battled to a 73-68 win over Coach Angela Beck and the Huskers in the first meeting between the two teams in the second round of the National Women’s Invitational Tournament on March 27, 1992. Georgia Tech went on to win the NWIT title.
 
Saturday’s game will be the ninth in eight seasons for Coach Amy Williams and the Huskers against an ACC opponent since she took the reins of the Nebraska program in 2016-17. NU is 2-6 in that stretch with wins over Duke (Dec. 4, 2019) and then-unbeaten Wake Forest (Dec. 1, 2021). The only season since 2008-09 that Nebraska did not play an ACC team came during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 campaign.

Husker Nuggets
• Saturday’s game is Nebraska’s annual U.S. Marines Toys for Tots collection at women’s basketball. Fans are encouraged to bring a new unwrapped toy (or cash donation), which will be collected by volunteers at the entrances of Pinnacle Bank Arena.

• Natalie Potts earned her second Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Week award (Nov. 27). She won the inaugural weekly honor (Nov. 13).

• Alexis Markowski was named to the Big Ten Weekly Honor Roll each of the first two weeks of the 2023-24 season. She also earned a spot on the St. Pete Showcase All-Tournament Team after averaging 15.0 points and 9.5 rebounds over two games in Florida.

• Markowski leads the Big Ten in rebounding (9.1 rpg) while ranking sixth in the league in scoring (17.4 ppg), 11th in free throw percentage (.825) and 12th in field goal percentage (.518).

• The Huskers had six players produce double figures in points against Northwestern State, marking the first time Nebraska accomplished that feat since a 90-61 season-opening win over Oral Roberts on Dec. 4, 2020.

• The Huskers have hit at least one three in 471 straight games dating back to a loss at UTEP on Dec. 20, 2008. Nebraska has hit at least two threes in 350 consecutive games.

• Nebraska has hit 10 or more threes 29 times in the last 79 games, including twice in 2023-24. The Huskers opened 2023-24 with 10 three-pointers in a win over Northwestern State (Nov. 6), before adding 10 threes in a win over Florida Atlantic (Nov. 29). Nebraska knocked down a 2022-23 season-high 14 threes in a season-opening win over Omaha (Nov. 7, 2022). 

• Through the first 20 seasons with the three-point shot in women’s basketball (1988-2007), Nebraska hit 10 threes in a game just six times (591 games).

Husker Numbers to Watch
• Darian White has scored in double figures 101 times in her college career (97, Montana State; 4, Nebraska) after getting a season-high 16 points against unbeaten TCU (Nov. 25).
•  Jaz Shelley is five assists from joining the top 10 at Nebraska in career assists. Shelley heads into the Georgia Tech game with 387 assists in two-plus years at Nebraska. All-American and two-time WNBA All-Star Anna DeForge ranks 10th in school history with 392.  
•  Jaz Shelley is 21 assists away from 500 in her college career. Only five Huskers in history have totaled 500 collegiate assists (Lindsey Moore, Meggan Yedsena, Rachel Theriot, Jina Johansen, Nicole Kubik). Darian White is 25 assists away from 500 in her career.
• Jaz Shelley needs one three-pointer to climb into a tie for No. 5 on the Nebraska career three-point list, matching Lindsey Moore (173, 2010-13). 
• Alexis Markowski needs one double-double to climb into a tie for fifth in Nebraska history with Jessica Shepard (25, 2015-17). Markowski is tied for sixth with 24.
• Maddie Krull is three assists away from 200 in her career.
• Annika Stewart needs four points to reach 500 in her career.
 
Nebraska Notables
• Two-time All-Big Ten center Alexis Markowski (Lincoln, Neb.) was the Big Ten’s top rebounder with 322 rebounds in 2022-23. She was the only Big Ten player to average a double-double (12.4 ppg, 10.2 rpg) during regular-season conference play.
• Jaz Shelley is 19 points away from becoming the 37th 1,000-point scorer in Nebraska history. Alexis Markowski is 64 points from reaching 1,000 career points.
• Darian White is 212 points away from 2,000 in her college career.

MARKOWSKI, POTTS NOTCH DOUBLE-DOUBLES IN WIN

Lincoln - Alexis Markowski and Natalie Potts both posted double-doubles to power the Nebraska women’s basketball team to a 77-53 victory over Florida Atlantic on Wednesday night at Pinnacle Bank Arena. 

With the victory, the Huskers improved to 5-2 on the season, while the Owls slipped to 3-3. 

Markowski led all scorers with a game-high 18 points, including the first nine points of the fourth quarter for the Big Red. She pitched in 10 rebounds, including four on the offensive end. It was Markowski's third double-double of the season and 24th of her career.

Potts, the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Week, contributed the first double-double of her career with 12 points and a career-high 12 rebounds, including six offensive boards. With Potts and Markowski leading the way, Nebraska pulled down 17 offensive rebounds and turned them into 17 second-chance points.

Sophomore Callin Hake put three Huskers in double figures while knocking down 3-of-4 three-pointers. Jaz Shelley added a trio of three-pointers of her own to finish with nine points, as Nebraska matched its season high with 10 three-pointers in the game.

Freshman Jessica Petrie also contributed nine points, including seven points in a big fourth quarter, while Darian White pitched in five points and a game-high eight assists for the Huskers. Overall, every Husker scored at least two points.

Nebraska jumped to a 19-10 lead at the end of the first quarter despite a slow start shooting the basketball. The Huskers pushed the lead to 31-17 midway through the second before a 7-0 Florida Atlantic run cut the lead in half. The Big Red took a 37-29 lead to halftime, but extended the margin by winning the third quarter 17-10.

The Huskers opened the fourth with a 54-39 lead, and Markowski ended any hopes for the Owls with nine points in the first 3:10 of the period to push the Big Red lead to 63-42. 

As a team, Nebraska hit 40.8 percent (29-71) of its shots from the field, including 10-of-26 three-pointers (.385). The Huskers also knocked down 9-of-11 free throws (.818) and finished with a 39-31 edge on the boards. The Huskers also dominated the turnover department, 18-9, outscoring the Owls, 17-2 in points off turnovers.

The Owls hit 41.3 percent (19-46) of their shots, but Nebraska's 25 extra field goal attempts were too much to overcome. FAU sank just 4-of-15 three-pointers, and 11-of-18 free throws.

Rose Caverly led Florida Atlantic with nine points, while the Huskers limited the Owls' leading scorer Aniya Hubbard to just eight points, including FAU's final five points of the game. Hubbard entered the game averaging 20.2 points per contest.

Nebraska continues its three-game home stand by battling Georgia Tech on Saturday, Dec. 2. Tip-off with the 5-2 Yellow Jackets is set for 2 p.m. (CT) with tickets available now at Huskers.com. The game can also be heard across the Huskers Radio Network, and a live video stream will be available to subscribers of B1G+.

 

HUSKERS LOOKING FOR FOURTH-STRAIGHT CLIFF KEEN TITLE

Las Vegas - The Nebraska wrestling team heads to Las Vegas this weekend to partake in one of the premier wrestling tournaments of the year at the Cliff Keen Invitational.

The Las Vegas Convention Center will host the event, with action beginning on Friday, Dec. 1 at 11 a.m. (CT). Each weight class is set up in bracket format, with both the championship and consolation rounds of 64, 32 and 16 being contested until 6 p.m. Starting at 8 p.m., the championship quarterfinals and consolation first and second rounds of eight will take place. 

Action resumes Saturday morning at 12 p.m. (CT) with the championship and consolation semifinals and consolation fifth- and seventh-place matches. The championship and third-place matches are set for 5 p.m. 

The tournament field features the defending champions along with six of the top-10 teams in the country and 13 of the top-20 teams. 

Live stream and live stats will be available on FloWrestling (subscription required). Fans can also follow @HuskerWrestling on Twitter for live updates throughout the tournament. 

Last Time Out: For the second-straight year and third all-time, the Huskers claimed the Navy Classic title in Maryland on Saturday. NU finished first out of 14 teams with 212 points, as Navy (137 points) finished second and Princeton (134.5) was third. Individually, Caleb Smith (125), Brock Hardy (141), Ridge Lovett (149), Peyton Robb (157), Antrell Taylor (165) and Lenny Pinto (184) won their respective weight classes to help the team defend last season’s title.

Up Next: NU will return home to host SDSU on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. (CT). Action will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.

Nebraska’s Projected Lineup
125: #9 Caleb Smith
133: #27 Jacob Van Dee
141: #4 Brock Hardy
149: #1 Ridge Lovett
157: #3 Peyton Robb
165: #10 Antrell Taylor
174: Adam Thebeau
184: #7 Lenny Pinto
197: #12 Silas Allred
HWT: Harley Andrews 

Quick Notes

  • Six starters have undefeated records to start the season, as Smith (125) and Robb (157) have combined to start the season 14-0. 
  • Taylor (165), Pinto (184) and Silas Allred (197) have amassed a team-leading eight takedowns in dual matches.

Nebraska’s History at the Cliff Keen Invite 

  • Nebraska has competed at the Las Vegas Invitational a total of 27 times, finishing first in 2003, 2008, 2019, 2021 and 2022. NU has also placed second five times: 1992, 1995, 2000, 2004 and 2013. 

Last Time at Cliff Keen (Dec. 2022)

  • Three Huskers claimed individual titles and NU won its third-straight and fifth overall Cliff Keen title on Saturday night at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
  • Brock Hardy (141), Peyton Robb (157) and Mikey Labriola (174) all finished atop their weight classes as NU amassed 137.5 team points, the most among the 33 schools competing. 

Huskers Head to Doane Open

  • The Huskers will send seven wrestlers to the Doane Open on Saturday. Elise Brown Ton, Drew Cooper, Blake Cushing, Cooper French, Tanner Frothinger, Scott Robertson and Brandyn Van Tassell will make the trip. Competition will start on Saturday at 9 a.m. (CT). Results will be posted on trackwrestling.com. 

DALE CAPTURES NCAA FIRST-TEAM ALL-AMERICAN HONORS

Senior forward Eleanor Dale earned first-team NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer All-America honors, announced by the United Soccer Coaches on Friday. 

Dale, who previously garnered all-regional accolades and was named as a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist, becomes the 20th All-American (14th different player) in program history and just the fourth first-team honoree. The last player to be named to the first-team was defender Jenny Benson in 2000 and the most recent All-American was Jaycie Johnson, who earned third-team status in 2016. 

A native of Billingham, England, Dale turned in one of the best overall seasons in NCAA Division I soccer in 2023 with 61 points, 28 goals and five assists. She leads the country in total goals and now ranks third in Big Ten history in single-season goals and is just the fourth player in Big Ten history to total 60 points in a season.

This year’s All-Americans will be recognized for their accomplishments at the United Soccer Coaches All-America Ceremony & Reception on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, in conjunction with the United Soccer Coaches Convention.