Nebraska women stay unbeaten with dominant win over Illinois State
LINCOLN — Petra Bozan scored 14 points to lead four Nebraska players in double figures as No. 24 Nebraska remained unbeaten with an 85-44 victory over Illinois State on Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Bozan added six rebounds and a career-high-tying three blocks for the Huskers, who improved to 11-0 on the season. Britt Prince finished with 13 points, Amiah Hargrove scored 11 off the bench and Eliza Maupin added 11 as Nebraska scored at least 80 points for a school-record 11th consecutive game.
Nebraska’s defense set the tone early, holding Illinois State to just two points in the opening quarter, the fewest the Huskers have ever allowed in a first period. Nebraska raced to a 21-2 lead behind seven first-quarter points from Hargrove, four from Prince and three-pointers from Logan Nissley and Kennadi Williams.
The Huskers took a 40-21 lead into halftime after Maupin scored seven points in the second quarter and Callin Hake added six. Nebraska shot 53.1 percent from the field in the first half and outrebounded the Redbirds 21-16.
Illinois State, which entered the game allowing fewer than 80 points per contest, shot just 25 percent in the first half. Addison Martin led the Redbirds with six points at the break.
Nebraska extended the lead to 62-35 after three quarters and pulled away with a 23-9 advantage in the fourth. The Huskers finished the game shooting 52.9 percent from the floor and held Illinois State to 29.6 percent shooting.
Prince added a team-high six rebounds and six assists without a turnover, along with a steal and a blocked shot. Hargrove and Maupin each added five rebounds. Jessica Petrie, Claire Johnson and Williams scored seven points apiece, while Hake finished with six points and five assists.
Kya Hurt led Illinois State with 18 points, and Martin added 12 points and five rebounds. Lincoln native Doneelah Washington grabbed nine rebounds and blocked five shots but did not score.
Nebraska will take the week off for final exams before closing nonconference play against Cal Baptist next Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Tipoff is set for 11 a.m. CT as part of a doubleheader with the Nebraska men’s team.
