The Nebraska women’s basketball team has ended a challenging three-game losing streak, which included two heartbreaking losses by a total of five points, with a significant victory against Illinois. Playing at Pinnacle Bank Arena, the Huskers clinched an 81-75 victory over the Fighting Illini, who have consistently been in or around the top 25 rankings this season.
The Huskers showcased their talent with a commanding first half, leading 41-23 at halftime. Despite a strong push from Illinois in the second half, Nebraska maintained their lead, largely due to standout performances from Britt Prince, who was the top scorer with 20 points. Additionally, Jessica Petrie and Logan Nissley contributed with 15 points each, while Petra Bozen made an impact off the bench with 11 points in just 14 minutes of play.
This victory sets the stage for Nebraska as they prepare for an upcoming two-game road trip, with the team set to host Northwestern in a midweek conference match-up. Nebraska enters the contest with a 15-5 overall record and a 4-5 mark in Big Ten play, while Northwestern holds an 8-12 record and sits at 2-7 in conference standings.
The Wednesday, January 28 matchup is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST at Pinnacle Bank Arena, where fans can follow the game via Nebraska Public Media and the Huskers Radio Network.
As Northwestern continues to rebuild under head coach Joe McKeown in his 17th season, the Wildcats have struggled, finishing at the bottom of the Big Ten last season. They lost key players, including leading scorer Caileigh Walsh and double-double performer Taylor Williams, which has added to their challenges this year. However, standout Grace Sullivan, who ranks second in the Big Ten with over 22 points per game, offers a glimmer of hope for the Wildcats moving forward.
With the season at a critical juncture for both teams, the energy and excitement surrounding Wednesday’s game promise to be palpable as Nebraska looks to build on their recent success and Northwestern aims to turn their fortunes around.