WOMEN’S BASKETBALL GAME NOTES AT NORTHWESTERN, … · WOMEN’S BASKETBALL GAME NOTES AT NORTHWESTERN, JAN. 7, 2018 NEBRASKA 10-5 Overall 1-1 Big Ten 8-9 Overall 1-2 Big Ten. 2

2017-18 SCHEDULE/RESULTSDate Opponent Time/ResultNov. 5 Minnesota State-Mankato (exh.) [BTN Plus] W, 88-55Nov. 11 SIU Edwardsville [BTN Plus] W, 62-53Nov. 14 UMKC [BTN Plus] W, 80-60Nov. 16 Arkansas [BTN] W, 80-69Nov. 19 Creighton [BTN Plus] L, 49-64Nov. 23-24 San Juan Shootout (Daytona Beach, Fla.)Nov. 23 vs. Buffalo [SJS] L, 72-82Nov. 24 vs. Coastal Carolina [SJS] W, 55-47Nov. 30 Clemson (B1G/ACC) [BTN Plus] L, 66-67Dec. 2 Arkansas Pine Bluff [BTN Plus] W, 73-52Dec. 6 at Kansas [ESPN3] W, 66-49Dec. 9 at Drake [ESPN3] W, 89-84 (2OT)Dec. 17 at San Jose State [Mountain West] W, 81-55Dec. 19 Florida Atlantic [BTN Plus] W, 86-69Dec. 22 Washington State [BTN Plus] L, 61-73Dec. 28 #12 Ohio State^ [BTN] L, 61-73Dec. 31 at Minnesota^ [BTN Plus] W, 79-74Jan. 7 at Northwestern^ [BTN Plus] 2 p.m.Jan. 10 at Illinois^ [BTN Plus] 7 p.m.Jan. 13 Michigan^ [BTN Plus] 7 p.m.Jan. 16 Iowa^ [BTN Plus] 7 p.m.Jan. 21 at Rutgers^ [BTN Plus] 5 p.m.Jan. 24 Purdue^ [BTN Plus] 7 p.m.Jan. 28 at Iowa^ [BTN Plus] 2 p.m.Feb. 1 Illinois^ [BTN Plus] 7 p.m.Feb. 4 Maryland^ [BTN Plus] 2 p.m.Feb. 11 Wisconsin^ [BTN Plus] (Play4Kay) 2 p.m.Feb. 14 at Michigan State^ [BTN Plus] 6 p.m.Feb. 17 at Indiana^ [BTN] 11 a.m.Feb. 22 Penn State^ [BTN] (Senior Night) 7 p.m.Feb. 25 at Maryland^ [BTN] 11 a.m.Feb. 28-March 4 at Big Ten Tournament (Indianapolis)March 12 NCAA Tournament Selection ShowMarch 16-19 NCAA First & Second Rounds TBAMarch 23-26 NCAA Regionals TBAMarch 30- NCAA Women’s Final Four (Columbus, Ohio) TBAApril 1 All times listed are Central. Home games in bold at Pinnacle Bank Arena. ^- Denotes Big Ten Conference game. All of Nebraska’s regular-season games can be heard live on the Husker Sports Network, including B107.3 FM in Lincoln and ESPN 590 AM (or CD105.9 FM) in Omaha, and free on Huskers.com. [BTN] - Big Ten Network; [BTN Plus] - Live Video Streams at BTN.com of live BTN and BTN Plus games

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NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERSAT NORTHWESTERN WILDCATSSunday, Jan. 7, 2 p.m. (CT)Evanston Township High School (Evanston, Illinois)Live Video: BTN PlusLive Radio: Husker Sports NetworkMatt Coatney (PBP), Jeff Griesch (Analyst)Lincoln - B107.3 FM; Omaha - ESPN 590 AMFree Live Audio: Huskers.com/Huskers App/TuneIn App

NEBRASKA 2017-18 STATISTICSNo. Player Ht. Cl. Pos. G-GS PPG RPG APG SPG BPG3 Hannah Whitish* 5-9 So. G 15-15 13.1 4.5 5.3 1.4 0.15 Nicea Eliely* 6-1 So. G 12-9 8.5 4.8 2.0 1.5 0.912 Emily Wood*** 5-5 Sr. G 15-3 6.1 2.5 1.1 0.8 0.013 Janay Morton# 5-10 Sr. G 7-0 2.0 0.9 0.3 0.0 0.014 Grace Mitchell* 6-2 So. F 14-2 3.1 2.9 0.3 0.3 0.015 Bria Stallworth# 5-6 So. G 15-0 4.1 1.9 2.0 0.3 0.024 Maddie Simon** 6-2 Jr. F 11-10 11.1 6.4 2.3 1.1 0.331 Kate Cain 6-5 Fr. C 15-14 11.1 7.6 0.9 0.5 3.633 Taylor Kissinger 6-1 Fr. G/F 9-7 12.8 4.7 1.8 0.9 0.634 Jasmine Cincore*** 5-10 Sr. G 15-14 7.0 3.4 2.5 1.6 0.343 Rachel Blackburn*# 6-3 So. F 14-0 1.6 2.2 0.5 0.1 0.050 Darrien Washington** 6-2 Jr. F 15-1 1.3 2.2 0.3 0.2 0.1# redshirted in 2016-17

HUSKERS AIM FOR BIG TEN ROAD WIN AT NORTHWESTERN • The Nebraska women’s basketball team continues a three-game Big Ten road swing by tangling with Northwestern on Sunday in Evanston, Ill. Tip-off between the Huskers (10-5, 1-1 Big Ten) and the Wildcats (8-9, 1-2 Big Ten) at Evanston Township High School is set for 2 p.m. • A live radio broadcast will be produced by the Husker Sports Network, with Matt Coatney and Jeff Griesch teaming up for their 17th season together on the call. The game will be carried live for free on Huskers.com and over the air on B107.3 FM in Lincoln and ESPN 590 AM in Omaha. Free audio also can be found on the Huskers App and the TuneIn App. • A live premium video stream will be provided to BTN Plus subscribers. • Nebraska enjoyed the mid-week off after working its way to an impressive 79-74 road win at Minnesota on New Year’s Eve. The Huskers trailed by eight points late in the third quarter and were down by one with 30 seconds left before rallying for their fifth consecutive road win. The Big Red also handed the Golden Gophers their first home loss of the season at Williams Arena. • The Huskers, who have produced three more wins (10) than last season (7), provided another example of their drastically improved defense. Nebraska held the nation’s No. 9 scoring offense 20 points below its home scoring average (94.2 ppg), including just 33 points in the second half. That effort came just three days after holding the nation’s No. 1 scoring offense (Ohio State) 19 points below its season average. • Junior Maddie Simon played outstanding basketball in the first week of Big Ten action. The 6-2 forward averaged 16.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists while shooting 52 percent from the field, 40 percent from three-point range and 100 percent at the free throw line. Simon hit the go-ahead shot with 29.8 seconds left, then grabbed the next defensive rebound, was fouled and made both free throws to seal Nebraska’s road win at Minnesota. • Simon is part of a balanced Big Red attack that features four players averaging in double figures, including freshman center Kate Cain (11.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 3.6 bpg) and freshman guard Taylor Kissinger (12.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg). • Cain is a four-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week and will set Nebraska’s freshman season blocked shot record with her next block. She enters the Northwestern game with 54 rejections, matching career school record holder Janet Smith’s freshman total from 1978-79. • Sophomore point guard Hannah Whitish leads Nebraska with 13.1 points and 5.3 assists per game.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL GAME NOTES AT NORTHWESTERN, JAN. 7, 2018

NEBRASKA10-5 Overall1-1 Big Ten

8-9 Overall1-2 Big Ten

2 2017-18 NEBRASKA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

SCOUTING THE NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS • Coach Joe McKeown brings a new look Northwestern team into Sunday’s game with the Huskers. The Wildcats were hit harder by graduation than any other team in the Big Ten this season, losing four-year starters Nia Coffey, Ashley Deary and Christen Inman, along with Lauren Douglas. • All four of those Wildcats were 1,000-point career scorers and combined for 6,021 points, led by Coffey who was a four-time first-team All-Big Ten choice who finished second in school history with 2,287 points. Coffey also closed as the school’s top rebounder (1,183) and shot blocker (229). •Deary closed her career as the Big Ten’s all-time steals leader (429) while finishing second in school history with 788 assists. • Northwestern opened Big Ten play with a 90-63 loss to Minnesota in Evanston (Dec. 28), before bouncing back for a 74-59 road win at in-state rival Illinois (Dec. 31). The Wildcats suffered an 81-51 loss at Michigan State in East Lansing on Wednesday night. • Freshman Lindsey Pulliam has stepped in immediately to help the Wildcats. The 5-10 guard from Silver Spring, Md., is averaging a team-high 14.5 points while adding 4.1 rebounds per contest. • Another freshman, 5-8 guard Jordan Hamilton, has started 14 games and is averaging 6.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, a team-best 5.1 assists and a team-best 20 blocked shots. Hamilton missed Northwestern’s final three non-conference games with a lower body injury suffered in a loss to DePaul (Dec. 13). • Sophomore Abi Scheid, a 6-2 forward, has stepped into a leadership role for the Wildcats, averaging 12.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists while playing a team-high 33.5 minutes per game. • Fellow sophomore Bryana Hopkins (3.8 ppg, 2.8 rpg) has started all three of Northwestern’s Big Ten games, while 6-2 junior forward Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah has provided an outstanding athletic presence by averaging a double-double with 10.5 points, 10.4 rebounds and a team-best 22 steals. • Senior guard Lydia Rohde has provided consistency and outside shooting, averaging 6.5 points per game while hitting 39.3 percent (24-61) of her threes. Rohde missed Northwestern’s first two Big Ten games with an upper body injury, but returned off the bench at Michigan State. • Senior center Oceana Hamilton (4.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg) has played in all 17 games to provide post depth, while sophomore 6-4 sophomore Abbie Wolf and freshman guard Brooke Pikiell round out the Wildcat contributors. • As a team, Northwestern is averaging 62.7 points per game while shooting 43.8 percent of its shots from the field, including 36.5 percent (73-200) of its three-pointers. The Cats also have hit 72.2 percent of their free throws. They own a plus-3.0 rebound margin, but a minus-3.5 turnover margin, while holding opponents to 63.4 points per game.

NEBRASKA VS. NORTHWESTERN SERIES HISTORY • Nebraska leads the all-time series with Northwestern, 8-6, but the Wildcats won the last meeting between the two teams 62-58 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Dec. 28, 2016. • Northwestern has won three consecutive games against Nebraska in Evanston, Ill., including an 85-62 win at Welsh-Ryan Arena on Jan. 3, 2016. The Wildcats also produced a 59-51 win at Welsh-Ryan on Jan. 18, 2015, and a 63-59 victory on Jan. 26, 2014. • Nebraska’s last win in Evanston came on Feb. 7, 2013, when the Huskers worked their way to a 55-50 victory over the Cats. It is the Huskers’ lone win over Northwestern in Evanston since joining the Big Ten. • The Huskers are 3-5 all-time against Northwestern in Evanston, and 4-1 against the Wildcats in Lincoln.Nebraska also owns an 88-56 win over Northwestern in the 2012 Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis.8 Fr.

HUSKER STARTING LINEUPS IN 2017-18 (8, 15 GAMES)Opponent Guard Guard Guard Forward Forward ResultSIUE (Nov. 11) Whitish Kissinger Cincore Simon Washington W, 1-0UMKC (Nov. 14) Whitish Kissinger Cincore Simon Cain W, 1-0Arkansas (Nov. 17) Whitish Kissinger Cincore Simon Cain W, 2-0Creighton (Nov. 19) Whitish Kissinger Cincore Mitchell Cain L, 0-1vs. Buffalo (Nov. 23) Whitish Wood Kissinger Cincore Cain L, 0-1vs. Coastal Carolina (Nov. 24) Whitish Wood Kissinger Mitchell Cain W, 1-0Clemson (Nov. 30) Whitish Kissinger Eliely Cincore Cain L, 0-1Arkansas Pine Bluff (Dec. 2) Whitish Wood Eliely Cincore Cain W, 1-0at Kansas (Dec. 6) Whitish Cincore Eliely Simon Cain W, 1-0at Drake (Dec. 9) Whitish Cincore Eliely Simon Cain W, 2-0at San Jose State (Dec. 17) Whitish Cincore Eliely Simon Cain W, 3-0Florida Atlantic (Dec. 19) Whitish Cincore Eliely Simon Cain W, 4-0Washington State (Dec. 22) Whitish Cincore Eliely Simon Cain L, 4-1#12 Ohio State (Dec. 28) Whitish Cincore Eliely Simon Cain L, 4-2at Minnesota (Dec. 31) Whitish Cincore Eliely Simon Cain W, 5-2 G1.2

YOUNG HUSKERS READY TO RISE, COMPETE ON DEFENSE • Nebraska is putting one of the least-experienced lineups in the Big Ten on the court this season. Senior Jasmine Cincore leads the Huskers with 49 career starts, while true sophomore Nicea Eliely’s 38 starts rank second and Hannah Whitish’s 32 starts rank third. Those three Huskers have combined for 119 of Nebraska’s 173 combined career starts in Husker uniforms. Junior Maddie Simon and sophomore Rachel Blackburn were the only other current Huskers who had ever started a game for Nebraska prior

NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS(10-5, 1-1 BIG TEN)No. Player Ht. Yr. Pos. PPG RPG24 Maddie Simon 6-2 Jr. F 11.1 6.431 Kate Cain 6-5 Fr. C 11.1 7.63 Hannah Whitish 5-9 So. G 13.1 4.55 Nicea Eliely 6-1 So. G 8.5 4.834 Jasmine Cincore 5-10 Sr. F 7.0 3.4Off the Bench33 Taylor Kissinger 6-1 Fr. G 12.8 4.712 Emily Wood 5-5 Sr. G 6.1 2.515 Bria Stallworth 5-6 So. G 4.1 1.914 Grace Mitchell 6-2 So. F 3.1 2.913 Janay Morton 5-10 Sr. G 2.0 0.943 Rachel Blackburn 6-3 So. F 1.6 2.250 Darrien Washington 6-2 Jr. F 1.3 2.2Head Coach: Amy Williams (Nebraska, 1998)Second Season at Nebraska (17-27)11th Season Overall (210-136)

NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS(8-9, 1-2 BIG TEN)No. Player Ht. Yr. Pos. PPG RPG4 Bryana Hopkins 6-2 So. F 3.8 2.814 Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah 6-2 Jr. F 10.5 10.444 Abi Scheid 6-3 So. F/C 12.8 5.110 Lindsey Pulliam 5-10 Fr. G 14.5 4.124 Jordan Hamilton 5-8 Fr. G 6.9 4.0Off the Bench12 Lydia Rohde 5-10 Sr. G 6.5 1.922 Byrdy Galernik 5-8 So. G 4.7 2.334 Oceana Hamilton 6-4 Sr. C 4.1 2.921 Abbie Wolf 6-4 So. F/C 1.4 1.611 Brooke Pikiell 5-10 Fr. G 0.3 0.6Head Coach: Joe McKeown (Kent State, 1979)Ninth Season at Northwestern (157-147)32nd Season Overall (666-321)

HUSKER NUGGETS• A win for Nebraska at Northwestern would be the Huskers’ 11th win of the season, giving the Big Red four more than the seven victories they totaled all of last season.• A win at Northwestern would also snap Nebraska’s three-game road losing streak to the Wildcats in Evanston, while extending Nebraska’s current road winning streak to six games. Nebraska’s five-game road winning streak is its longest since winning seven straight road games in 2012-13.• With her next block, Kate Cain will set the Nebraska freshman blocked shot record held by Husker all-time block leader Janet Smith (1978-79). Cain has blocked at least two shots in 11 consecutive games and a has block in all 15 games this year.• Kate Cain’s 3.6 blocks per game and 54 total blocks ranked No. 3 nationally through games Jan. 1. No Nebraska individual has ever averaged 2.0 blocks per game in a career, and only two Huskers (Danielle Page, 2.4 bpg, 2007-08; Catheryn Redmon, 2.5 bpg, 2010-11) have ever averaged 2.0 blocks per game in a single season.• Nebraska freshman Taylor Kissinger has come off the bench for the Huskers in their first two Big Ten games. The 6-1 guard has averaged 8.5 points in 16.5 minutes in Big Ten play, after averaging a team-best 14.0 points as a starter through NU’s first seven games this season. Kissinger missed Nebraska’s final six non-conference contests with a knee injury.• Senior Emily Wood ranks third in the Big Ten in three-point percentage (.464). Wood, a 5-5 guard from Salina, Kan., has hit 26-of-56 threes on the year. A former walk-on, Wood entered the season with 24 career three-pointers made.• Junior Maddie Simon (+7.0 ppg) is one of the Big Ten’s most improved players in 2017-18. Simon, a 6-2 forward, is averaging 11.1 points per game after averaging 4.1 points through all 29 games a year ago. The last six games, Simon is averaging 14.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, including 16.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists in Big Ten play.

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INSIDE THE ROSTER

HUSKER PRONUNCIATION GUIDEJasmine Cincore ........................................SIN-coreNicea Eliely ............................... NY-see-uh E-ly-leeTaylor Kissinger ......................................KISS-in-jurJanay Morton ........................................... juh-NAYBria Stallworth ..........................................BREE-uhDarrien Washington ................................DERRY-inHannah Whitish .....................................WHITE-ish

HUSKER HOMESThe 12 members of the 2017-18 Husker women's basketball team came to Nebraska from nine U.S. states.California (1): Darrien WashingtonColorado (1): Nicea ElielyIllinois (1): Bria StallworthKansas (3): Rachel Blackburn, Grace Mitchell, Emily WoodMinnesota (1): Janay MortonNebraska (2): Taylor Kissinger, Maddie SimonNew York (1): Kate CainTennessee (1): Jasmine CincoreWisconsin (1): Hannah Whitish

HUSKERS BY CLASSSeniors (3): Jasmine Cincore, Janay Morton Emily WoodJuniors (2): Maddie Simon, Darrien WashingtonSophomores (5): Rachel Blackburn, Nicea Eliely, Grace Mitchell, Bria Stallworth, Hannah WhitishFreshmen (2): Kate Cain, Taylor Kissinger

HUSKERS BY MAJORAdvertising & Public Relations: Jasmine CincoreAnimal Science: Darrien WashingtonBiological Systems Engineering: Nicea ElielyBusiness Administration: Rachel BlackburnCommunication Studies: Maddie SimonManagement (MBA): Emily Wood Marketing: Hannah WhitishNutrition Science: Grace MitchellPsychology: Janay Morton, Bria StallworthUndeclared: Kate Cain, Taylor Kissinger

to this season, and neither one of them made a start last season. • Freshman Taylor Kissinger and junior Darrien Washington earned their first career starts against SIUE (Nov. 11), while freshman Kate Cain made her first career start against UMKC (Nov. 14). Sophomore Grace Mitchell notched her first career start against Creighton (Nov. 19) in place of an injured Maddie Simon. Senior Emily Wood made the first two starts of her career at the San Juan Shootout (Nov. 23-24). • Last season, the four least-experienced teams (Nebraska, Illinois, Rutgers, Wisconsin) tied for 11th in the Big Ten Conference. • The Huskers are confident they can be drastically improved on defense in 2017-18. Last season, Nebraska ranked 14th in the Big Ten by allowing 76.3 points, including 80.4 points per game in league play. It marked the second straight season Nebraska surrendered more than 65 points per game. Prior to 2015-16, the Huskers had not allowed 65 points per game since 2004-05. • In the 2017-18 season-opening win over SIU Edwardsville, Nebraska held a Cougar team that returned five starters to just 53 - the lowest total allowed by the Huskers since the 2016-17 opening win over UTRGV. • Nebraska has held five foes to 55 points or less, including 47 to Coastal Carolina (Nov. 24), 49 at Kansas (Dec. 6), 52 to Arkansas Pine Bluff (Dec. 2), 53 to SIUE (Nov. 11) and 55 at San Jose State (Dec. 17). • Last season, the Huskers held just two foes to 55 or less, and those came in the first two games. • The last time Nebraska held five non-conference opponents to 55 or less came in 2014-15. The Huskers held seven regular-season non-conference foes to 55 or less during their Big Ten title season in 2013-14. • The 47 points scored by Coastal Carolina in Daytona Beach, Fla. (Nov. 24) were the fewest allowed by the Huskers under Coach Amy Williams. • Nebraska held Kansas to just four points in the fourth quarter in Lawrence on Dec. 6. The Jayhawks did not get a field goal in the quarter against the Huskers - the first time Nebraska has held an opponent without a field goal in a quarter since the advent of the quarter system. • Nebraska held Kansas to just 13 points in the second half, the fewest points ever scored in a half by a Husker road opponent on their homecourt. • The Huskers held the nation’s top-scoring team (91.4 ppg entering the game) No. 12 Ohio State to just 73 points to Big Ten play on Dec. 28. It was only the second time this season that the Buckeyes failed to score at least 83 points. Last season, Ohio State averaged 91 points in its two meetings with the Huskers. • Nebraska held the nation’s No. 9 scoring offense to 74 points in a win at Minnesota (Dec. 31). The Golden Gophers entered the game averaging 94.2 points per game in seven home games at Williams Arena, before being held 20 points below their home scoring average by the Huskers. • Last season, Nebraska allowed 82.8 points per game on the road. The Huskers were also minus-6.2 on the glass and minus-5.9 in turnover margin away from Pinnacle Bank Arena.

WHITISH STARTING TO SHINE AS SOPHOMORE • Nebraska’s growth in the backcourt this season starts with sophomore Hannah Whitish. The 5-9 guard from Barneveld, Wis., is the Big Red’s top returning scorer after averaging 9.0 points per game a year ago. Whitish, who started every Big Ten game for Nebraska, averaged 11.1 points in conference play, while shooting a sizzling 41.8 percent (38-91) from three-point range. She was also Nebraska’s top playmaker, averaging 3.7 assists in Big Ten action. • Whitish’s play blossomed throughout the season, as she produced double figures in each of Nebraska’s last four games including a season-high 24-point performance in an overtime upset of NCAA Tournament-

2017-18 NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERSNo. Name Pos. Ht. Cl. Hometown (High School/Other School) Worth Noting 3 Hannah Whitish* G 5-9 So. Barneveld, Wis. (Barneveld) Big Ten Player of the Week (12/11); career-high 29 pts at Drake (12/9) & KU (12/6)5 Nicea Eliely* G 6-1 So. Colorado Springs, Colo. (Rampart) Nebraska Defensive MVP in 2016-17; Started last nine games12 Emily Wood*** G 5-5 Sr. Salina, Kan. (Salina Central) Walk-on to scholarship; 3-Year Grad; Big Ten-best 46.4% 3FG (26-56)13 Janay Morton# G 5-10 Sr. Brooklyn Park, Minn. (Osseo/Eastern Michigan) 2016 All-MAC Third Team; 2016 MAC All-Defensive; Missed 8 games with injury14 Grace Mitchell* F 6-2 So. Wellington, Kan. (Wellington) 2016 Kansas HS POY (USA Today), Career-high 10 pts vs. UMKC (11/14/17) 15 Bria Stallworth# G 5-6 So. Chicago, Ill. (Homewood-Flossmoor/UMass) 2016 A-10 Freshman Scoring, Assist Leader; 21 points, 6 assists vs. SIUE24 Maddie Simon** F 6-2 Jr. Lincoln, Neb. (Pius X) 2015 Nebraska HS POY; 16.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 4.5 apg in Big Ten play31 Kate Cain C 6-5 Fr. Middletown, N.Y. (Pine Bush) 4-Time Big Ten Frosh of the Week; Triple-Double vs. FAU (22 pts, 14 reb, 11 blocks)33 Taylor Kissinger G/F 6-1 Fr. Minden, Neb. (Minden) No. 38 Player in Nation (ESPN, 2016); 25 points, 8 rebounds vs. Arkansas34 Jasmine Cincore*** G 5-10 Sr. Arlington, Tenn. (Briarcrest Christian) 2-Time Tenn. 2A POY; 48 starts; 7.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.5 apg, team-best 1.6 spg43 Rachel Blackburn*# F 6-3 So. Leavenworth, Kan. (Leavenworth) Redshirted in 2016-17 after October knee surgery; Started first 9 games of 2015-1650 Darrien Washington** F 6-2 Jr. Oakland, Calif. (Skyline) First career start vs. SIUE (11/11/17)* denotes letters earned # redshirted in 2016-17 Head Coach: Amy Williams (Nebraska, 1998), 210-136 (11th season overall) 17-27 (Second season at Nebraska) - 2015 & 2016 Summit League Coach of the YearAssistant Coaches: Tom Goehle, Second Season (Augustana, S.D., 1993); Chuck Love, Second Season (Northwestern Oklahoma State, 2008); Tandem Mays, Second Season (Tulsa, 2007)Director of Operations: Amanda Hart, Second Season (Dakota Wesleyan, 2014)Administrative Assistant/Video Coordinator: Katie Adams, Third Season (Rutgers, 2008)Women’s Basketball Strength Coach: Stuart Hart, First Season (Saint Leo, 1998)Women’s Basketball Athletic Trainer: Ashley Rudolph, Second Season (Michigan State, 2010)

DEFENSIVE STANCESeason PPG Allowed2017-18 64.72016-17 76.32015-16 (WNIT) 68.12014-15 (NCAA) 60.92013-14 (NCAA) 63.42012-13 (NCAA) 59.02011-12 (NCAA) 61.82010-11 64.72009-10 (NCAA) 58.32008-09 (WNIT) 61.72007-08 (NCAA) 63.22006-07 (NCAA) 62.62005-06 (WNIT) 62.92004-05 (WNIT) 65.42003-04 (WNIT) 63.92002-03 63.92001-02 68.92000-01 68.8


AMY WILLIAMS(NEBRASKA, 1998)(17-27, Second Season at Nebraska)(210-136, 11th Season Overall)Summit League Coach of the Year (2015, 2016)WNIT Championship Team (2016)

NAIASeason School Won Lost Pct.2007-08 Rogers State 13 18 .4192008-09 Rogers State 18 14 .5632009-10 Rogers State 21 11 .6562010-11 Rogers State 23 10 .6972011-12 Rogers State 22 12 .647Totals 5 seasons 97 65 .599

NCAA Division I2012-13 South Dakota 19 16 .5432013-14 South Dakota 19 14 .5762014-15 South Dakota 26 8 .7652015-16 South Dakota 32 6 .8422016-17 Nebraska 7 22 .2412017-18 Nebraska 10 5 .667Div. I Totals Sixth season 113 71 .614Overall 11th season 210 136 .607

WILLIAMS IN POSTSEASONYear (Tournament) Results 2016 (WNIT) Champion2015 (WNIT) Second Round2014 (NCAA) First Round2013 (WBI) Semifinals2012 (NAIA) Elite Eight2011 (NAIA) First Round

NOTING COACH WILLIAMSlSummit League Regular-Season Champions (South Dakota, 2015, 2016)lNCAA Tournament (South Dakota, 2014)lSummit League Tournament Champions (2014)lFour Summit League Championship Game AppearanceslAssistant Coach, Tulsa (2006-07)lAssistant Coach, Oklahoma State (2002-05)lAssistant Coach, Texas-San Antonio (2001)lGraduate Assistant, Nebraska-Kearney (1999-2000)lFour-Year Letterwinner Nebraska (1995-98)

bound Michigan State on Feb. 26, 2017. Whitish knocked down 5-of-8 three-pointers against the Spartans while adding five rebounds and five assists in 44 minutes of work. • Over the last seven games, Whitish is averaging 18.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.4 steals. • She has scored in double figures in six of the last seven games and eight times overall this season. • For the season, Whitish is averaging 13.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and a team-best 5.3 assists while ranking second on the team with 21 steals on the year. • Whitish is the only Husker to start all 15 games this season. • The Big Ten Player of the Week (Dec. 11), Whitish averaged 29.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.5 steals to lead Nebraska to a pair of road wins at Kansas (Dec. 6) and Drake (Dec. 9). • She erupted for a career-high 29 points, including 25 in the second half, to carry Nebraska offensively in a road win at Kansas (Dec. 6). Whitish outscored the previously unbeaten Jayhawks 25-13 after halftime to help the Huskers rally from a 13-point late-second-quarter deficit to a 17-point victory. • Whitish matched her career high with 29 points in the next game at Drake (Dec. 9) to lead Nebraska to an 89-85 double-overtime victory. She added six rebounds, six assists, two steals and her first block of the season against the Bulldogs. • She has scored in double figures in four straight games, including 14 points with five assists in the win at Minnesota (Dec. 31) and 12 points with five rebounds and four assists against No. 12 Ohio State (Dec. 28). • Whitish was solid against Washington State (Dec. 22) with 18 points, six assists (no turnovers) and three steals. • She had an outstanding game with 17 points, five rebounds, eight assists and a steal in a win over Florida Atlantic (Dec. 19). • She tied her career high with three steals in three straight games (Clemson, UAPB, Kansas). She added three more steals against Washington State (Dec. 22) • Whitish tied her career high with five three-pointers at Drake (Dec. 9). • She scored 15 points on three threes against Buffalo (Nov. 23). • Whitish scored 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting against Creighton (Nov. 19). • She tied a career high with nine assists while adding eight points and five rebounds in a win over UMKC (Nov. 14). • Whitish owns a team-best 21 career double-figure scoring efforts, including eight this season. She has produced a trio of 20-point performances in her career, including two this season.

ELIELY PLAYING WELL SINCE RETURN FROM INJURY • Sophomore Nicea Eliely joins Hannah Whitish as a returning starter in the backcourt. Eliely, a 6-1 wing from Colorado Springs, Colo., started all 29 games for the Huskers as a true freshman, averaging 7.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and a team-leading 1.6 steals per game. • Eliely was Nebraska’s top defender throughout her freshman season, and with a year of experience under her belt, the Huskers expect to see even better defensive play from the long, athletic wing. • She added strength during the offseason and also improved her skill level at the offensive end to give herself more options in not only scoring but also creating opportunities for her teammates. • However, Eliely suffered a foot/ankle injury in mid-October that sidelined her late in preseason. She has made a full recovery after missing the first three games this season and being limited in her first three games back. • Eliely has played in 12 consecutive games, including nine straight starts. • As a starter, Eliely is averaging 9.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.6 steals. She is shooting 47.1 percent (33-70) from the field and 41.2 percent (7-17) from three-point range as a starter. • In Big Ten play, Eliely is averaging 9.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and a team-best 2.0 steals • For the season, Eliely is averaging 8.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals. • Eliely had her 12th career double-figure scoring effort and fourth in the last eight games with a season-high 14 points to go along with six rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block in a win at Minnesota (Dec. 31). She sealed the victory with Nebraska’s last two points at the free throw line in the final seconds.

Nebraska’s 2017-18 Coaching Staff (from left): Assistant Coach Tom Goehle, Head Coach Amy Williams, Assistant Coach Chuck Love and Assistant Coach Tandem Mays.

(#3) Hannah Whitish, 5-9, So., Point Guard

(#5) Nicea Eliely, 6-1, So., Guard/Forward


• She had 10 points, a career-high-matching nine rebounds, three assists and a block in a win over Florida Atlantic (Dec. 19). • It followed 13 points, five rebounds, a block and two steals in a win at San Jose State (Dec. 17). • Eliely also scored 13 points against Arkansas Pine Bluff (Dec. 2). • She played a strong all-around game in a win at Drake (Dec. 9), producing eight points, four rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks. Eliely would have finished in double figures with 10 points, but her game-winner at the buzzer was wiped off after an official review of a tipped inbounds pass. Eliely’s shot from the middle of the lane was good well before time expired. • Eliely managed seven points and three assists in a win at Kansas (Dec. 6). • She had nine points, three rebounds, an assist and a steal against Clemson (Nov. 30). • She saw her first action this season against Creighton (Nov. 19), contributing four points, five rebounds, a career-high three blocks and a steal in 15 minutes. She completed a full practice on Nov. 18 and the pregame shoot-around Nov. 19, after missing four weeks of court time.

SIMON RUNNING FULL SPEED TO FORWARD • With depth and experience creating a positive for the Nebraska backcourt, Maddie Simon has changed her focus to the power forward position. • The 6-2 junior out of Lincoln Pius X High School has been a significant contributor in the Nebraska backcourt the past two seasons, including a starting role down the stretch in the regular season as a freshman in 2015-16. • Through two seasons, she averaged 4.5 points and 1.9 rebounds in 13.3 minutes per game. She made five starts for the Huskers as a freshman, before coming off the bench in all 29 games a year ago. • With the loss of Nebraska’s starting frontcourt, and inexperience and injuries challenging the inside game, Simon has run into a more prominent role. • Through 11 games with 10 starts at power forward, Simon is showing that she is one of the most improved players in the Big Ten this season by averaging 11.1 points and 6.4 rebounds. She has added 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game. The Huskers are 9-2 in games that Simon has played this season with their only losses to No. 12 Ohio State and Washington State. • Statistically, Simon is one of the Big Ten’s most improved performers from a year ago, increasing her scoring average (+7.0 ppg) and rebounding average (+4.1 rpg) by nearly triple. In just 11 games, she has more total points (122-118), rebounds (70-67) and assists (25-24) than she had in 29 games a year ago, while her 12 steals are just one shy of her career total (13) in 50 games prior to this season. • Simon has produced double figures seven times this season, including six times in the past eight games. She entered the season with five career double-figure scoring efforts in 50 games. • In Big Ten play, Simon leads the Huskers with 16.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game. She is shooting 52 percent from the field, including 40 percent from three-point range, and 100 percent at the free throw line in conference play. • She is coming off the best game of her career with 18 points, eight rebounds, a career-high five assists and a career-high-tying three steals in a win at Minnesota (Dec. 31). Simon scored 16 of her team-high 18 points in the second half, including the go-ahead shot in the lane with 29.8 seconds left, before grabbing a defensive rebound, getting fouled and making two free throws with 12.9 seconds left to help seal a 79-74 win in which Nebraska trailed by eight points late in the third quarter on the road. • She opened Big Ten play with a team-high 14 points to go along with six rebounds and four assists against No. 12 Ohio State (Dec. 31). • Simon scored a career-high 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting at San Jose State (Dec. 17). Her 20 points at San Jose State came in just 24 minutes. • Her effort at San Jose State followed a then-career-high 17 points to go along with six boards, four assists and two steals in a win at Drake (Dec. 9). She added 13 points against Florida Atlantic (Dec. 19). • The Big Red opened the season 3-0 with Simon in the starting lineup. She averaged 6.7 points and a team-high 9.3 rebounds through three games. She had 11 points and eight rebounds in a win over UMKC (Nov. 14), before managing five points and a career-high 12 rebounds in a win over Arkansas (Nov. 16). • She suffered an ankle sprain in pregame warmups prior to Nebraska’s game with Creighton (Nov. 19) and did not play against the Bluejays. Simon missed four straight games with the injury. • The 2015 Nebraska High School Player of the Year, Simon was a two-time first-team Super-State selection while leading Lincoln Pius X to the 2015 Class B state championship. She was the No. 149 player in the nation according to Blue Star and the No. 22 guard by ESPN in 2015. A tremendous all-around athlete, Simon won the Class A 100- and 300-meter hurdles championships at the 2015 Nebraska State Track & Field Championships. • Her mother, Nicole Ali Simon, was a CoSIDA Academic All-American as a member of Coach Gary Pepin’s national champion Huskers in 1983 and 1984.

NEBRASKA 2017-18 QUICK FACTS

Institution .......................... University of Nebraska Location ............................................. Lincoln, Neb.Population ................................................. 268,738Enrollment .................................................. 26,091Founded ......................................................... 1869Nickname .............................Cornhuskers, HuskersColors ........................................ Scarlet and CreamHome Arena .......................... Pinnacle Bank ArenaCapacity....................................................... 15,000Conference ..................................................Big TenAthletic Director ...................................... Bill Moos2017-18 Overall Record .................................. 10-5 Home Record ................................................ 5-4 Away Record ................................................. 4-0 Neutral Record .............................................. 1-1 Big Ten Record ............................................... 1-12016-17 Overall Record .................................. 7-222016-17 Big Ten Record ....................... 3-13/T11thHead Coach ...................................... Amy Williams Alma Mater/Year ........................Nebraska/1998 Record at Nebraska ........ 17-27 (Second season) Career Record ................ 210-136 (11th season) NCAA Div. I Record ......... 113-71 (Sixth seasons)Williams’ Nebraska Home Record ................. 12-13 Big Ten Conference Record ......................... 4-14 Big Ten Home Record .................................... 3-6 Big Ten Road Record...................................... 1-8 Big Ten Tournament Record .......................... 0-1Assistant Coaches: .............................. Tom Goehle ..................................................... Chuck Love ................................................. Tandem MaysDirector of Operations ......................Amanda HartVideo Coordinator ............................. Katie AdamsStrength Coach ..................................... Stuart HartAthletic Trainer ............................. Ashley RudolphBasketball Office Phone .................(402) 472-6462Basketball Office Fax ......................(402) 472-0849Women’s Basketball Contact ...............Jeff GrieschCommunications Office Phone ......(402) 472-2263Griesch’s Direct Line ......................(402) 472-7775Griesch’s Cell Phone .......................(402) 540-0279Griesch’s E-mail .................. [email protected] Fax ......................(402) 472-2005Best Way to Contact Williams .....Through GrieschStarters Returning/Lost ....................................3/2Letterwinners Returning/Lost ..........................8/4Newcomers .......................................................... 2Returning Starters (3, 2016-17 Stats) ................... Hannah Whitish, So., G (9.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.9 apg) Nicea Eliely, So., G (7.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.6 apg) Jasmine Cincore, Sr., G (6.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.1 apg)Other Returning Letterwinners (6, 2016-17 Stats) Maddie Simon, Jr., G (4.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg) Darrien Washington, Jr., F (2.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg) Emily Wood, Sr., G (2.1 ppg, 0.9 rpg) Grace Mitchell, So., F (1.8 ppg, 1.7 rpg) Rachel Blackburn, So., F (Redshirt in 2016-17) Starters Lost (2, 2016-17 Stats) ........................... Jessica Shepard, F (18.6 ppg, 9.8 rpg) Allie Havers, C (6.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg)Others Lost (2, 2016-17 Stats) .............................. Rylie Cascio Jensen, G (2.3 ppg, 0.8 rpg) Esther Ramacieri, G (2.4 ppg, 1.4 rpg) 2017-18 Newcomers (4) ....................................... Kate Cain, 6-5, Fr., C .............................. Taylor, Kissinger, 6-1 Fr., G ............................ #Janay Morton, 5-10, Sr., G ........................... #Bria Stallworth, 5-6, So., G ............ # redshirted as transfers in 2016-17

(#24) Maddie Simon, 6-2, Jr., Forward


FRESHMAN CAIN ABLE FROM BLOCK-TO-BLOCK • The newest addition to Nebraska’s post game is freshman Kate Cain. The 6-5 center from Middletown, N.Y., decided to join the Huskers on June 23, 2017, after originally signing her National Letter of Intent with Delaware. • After a coaching change at Delaware, Cain reopened her recruitment and the No. 82 player in the nation, according to ESPN, landed in Lincoln. She is trying to become just the second Husker women’s basketball letterwinner from the state of New York, joining Monet Williams (Brooklyn, 1997-98, 1998-99). • Cain, whose parents were both outstanding Division I players on the East Coast, has brought an immediate defensive presence to the Huskers while also providing scoring and rebounding on the block. • Cain owns four Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Week awards (Nov. 13, Dec. 4, Dec. 11, Dec. 26). • She erupted for career highs of 22 points, 14 rebounds and a school-record shattering 11 blocked shots in the win over the Owls. Cain also set her career high with three assists in a spectacular performance at both ends of the court. • Cain’s triple-double was the first points-rebounds-blocks triple-double in school history and just the third overall triple-double in the Nebraska record book joining Lindsey Moore’s 12 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists against Florida A&M (Jan. 2, 2011) and Natalie Romeo’s 12 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists against Northwestern (Feb. 29, 2016). • Cain’s triple-double was just the second points-rebounds-blocks triple-double in NCAA Division I so far this season, joining William & Mary’s Abby Rendle’s 25 points, 17 rebounds and 10 blocks against East Carolina (Nov. 21). Rendle leads the nation with 5.3 blocks per game. • Cain opened Big Ten play with 14 points, eight rebounds, two blocks an assist and a steal going head-to-head against Ohio State senior Stephanie Mavunga. Cain limited Mavunga to eight points on 4-of-11 shooting. • Cain managed eight points, six rebounds and two blocks in a win at Minnesota (Dec. 31), while holding Minnesota senior starting center Jessie Edwards to one point in 28 minutes. • Cain is Nebraska’s No. 3 scorer (11.1 ppg) and top rebounder (7.6 rpg) and shot-blocker (3.6 bpg). The last Husker to average 1.0 block per game in a season was Catheryn Redmon (2.5 bpg) in 2010-11. • Through games Jan. 1, Cain ranked No. 3 nationally in blocks per game (3.6) and total blocks (54). • Cain is tied with Purdue’s Ae’Rianna Harris for the Big Ten lead in blocks with 54. Harris has played one more game than Cain. • Cain’s 54 blocked shots through 15 games are tied for the top total by a freshman in Nebraska history with school career record-holder Janet Smith with 54 blocks in 34 games in 1978-79. • Cain, who set the Nebraska record with 11 blocks against Florida Atlantic (Dec. 19) smashed Olympic bronze medalist Danielle Page’s previous school record of nine set against Baylor on Feb. 3, 2007. • Cain became just the sixth player in Big Ten Conference history to record 11 or more blocks and just the 10th Big Ten player to notch double-digit blocks in a single game. • Cain, who previously tied the Nebraska freshman record with six blocks against Clemson (Nov. 30), has 10 games with three or more blocks this season, including two games with six or more rejections in her first 15 contests. In the previous 1,310 games over 43 seasons of Husker history, Nebraska players had produced six or more blocks only 10 times, including three by Danielle Page and three by Catheryn Redmon. • Cain has blocked at least one shot in all 15 games and has multiple blocks in 14 of 15 contests. • Offensively, Cain is shooting a team-best 58.0 percent from the field and has shot 50 percent or better in 13 of 15 games this season. • Cain owns four double-doubles, including 19 points and 14 rebounds in a double-overtime win at Drake (Dec. 9). She had four blocks and a steal against the Bulldogs. • She had another double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds in a win over Arkansas Pine Bluff (Dec. 2). She added three blocked shots against the Lady Lions. • Cain notched her first career double-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks in Nebraska’s win over Arkansas (Nov. 16). She also had two assists against the Razorbacks. • She owns nine double-figure scoring efforts, four double-figure rebounding games and one double-digit block game in the first 15 games of her career. • Cain has produced four or more blocks six times, including Arkansas (4, Nov. 16), Coastal Carolina (4, Nov. 24), Clemson (6, Nov. 30), Kansas (5, Dec. 6), Drake (4, Dec. 9) and Florida Atlantic (11, Dec. 19). • In her regular-season debut, Cain erupted for 18 points and game highs of nine rebounds and three blocked shots in 26 minutes off the bench in a win over SIUE (Nov. 11). • She made her first career start in Nebraska’s win over UMKC (Nov. 14), producing eight points, two rebounds, two blocks and an assist. Cain has made 12 straight starts for the Huskers.

HUSKER CAREER HIGHSSCORINGPlayer (Game, Date) PointsJanay Morton (EMU vs. CMU, 3/7/15; EMU vs. Buffalo, 1/18/14) 34Hannah Whitish (at Drake, 12/9/17; at Kansas, 12/6/17) 29Taylor Kissinger (vs. Arkansas, 11/16/17) 25Bria Stallworth (UMass vs. Dayton, 2/17/16) 24Kate Cain (vs. Florida Atlantic, 12/19/17) 22Maddie Simon (at San Jose State, 12/17/17) 20Nicea Eliely (vs. California, 12/4/16) 19Emily Wood (vs. Washington State, 12/22/17) 19Jasmine Cincore (at Michigan State, 1/7/17) 17Rachel Blackburn (vs. Evansville, 12/8/15) 14Grace Mitchell (vs. UMKC, 11/14/17) 10Darrien Washington (vs. San Jose State, 12/9/16) 7

REBOUNDINGPlayer (Game, Date) ReboundsKate Cain (vs. FAU, 12/19/17; at Drake, 12/9/17) 14Maddie Simon (vs. Arkansas, 11/16/17) 12Rachel Blackburn (vs. NC State, 12/3/15) 11Jasmine Cincore (at Iowa, 12/31/16) 11Nicea Eliely (Three Times, vs. FAU, 12/19/17) 9Janay Morton (EMU, Three Times, Toledo, 1/23/16) 9Taylor Kissinger (vs. Arkansas, 11/16/17) 8Hannah Whitish (vs. Minnesota, 2/4/17) 8Emily Wood (at San Jose State, 12/17/17) 8Grace Mitchell (vs. Arkansas, 11/16/17) 6Darrien Washington (Three Times, at Iowa, 12/31/16) 6Bria Stallworth (UMass vs. La Salle, 2/10/16) 6

ASSISTSPlayer (Game, Date) AssistsBria Stallworth (UMass vs. Rhode Island, 1/27/16) 11Janay Morton (EMU vs. Akron, 3/12/15) 10Hannah Whitish (vs. UMKC, 11/14/17; vs. Illinois, 2/4/17) 9Jasmine Cincore (Three Times, vs. Minnesota, 2/4/17) 6Nicea Eliely (Four Times, vs. Illinois, 3/1/17) 6Maddie Simon (at Minnesota, 12/31/17) 5Emily Wood (vs. Evansville, 12/8/15) 5Taylor Kissinger (vs. Arkansas, 11/16/17) 4Rachel Blackburn (Three Times, vs. Evansville, 12/8/15) 3Kate Cain (vs. Florida Atlantic, 12/19/17) 3Grace Mitchell (vs. CCU,, 11/24/17; at Mich. St., 1/7/17) 2Darrien Washington (vs. Ohio State, 12/28/17) 2

STEALSPlayer (Game, Date) StealsJanay Morton (EMU vs. UTRGV, 11/21/15) 7Bria Stallworth (UMass vs. Boston U., 12/19/15) 5Jasmine Cincore (Five Times, vs. UMKC, 11/14/17) 4Nicea Eliely (vs. Michigan, 1/22/17; vs. Omaha, 11/22/16) 4Taylor Kissinger (vs. Buffalo, 11/23/17) 3Maddie Simon (at Minnesota, 12/31/17; vs. Virginia, 11/26/16) 3Hannah Whitish (Five Times, vs. Washington State, 12/22/17) 3Emily Wood (vs. UAPB, 12/2/17; vs. Creighton, 11/19/17) 3Rachel Blackburn (vs. Mich. St., 2/14/16; vs. NC Central, 11/21/15) 2Kate Cain (vs. Washington State, 12/22/17) 2Grace Mitchell (at Illinois, 1/15/17; vs. Drake, 12/6/16) 2Darrien Washington (at Michigan State, 1/7/17) 2

BLOCKED SHOTSPlayer (Game, Date) BlocksKate Cain (vs. Florida Atlantic, 12/19/17) - school record 11Jasmine Cincore (vs. Drake, 12/6/16) 4Rachel Blackburn (at Purdue, 1/20/16) 3Nicea Eliely (vs. Creighton, 11/19/17) 3Taylor Kissinger (vs. Creighton, 11/19/17) 2Maddie Simon (vs. UConn, 12/21/16) 2Emily Wood (vs. Indiana, 2/24/16) 2Janay Morton (EMU, Four Times, Western Michigan, 3/2/16) 2Grace Mitchell (vs. Maryland, 1/4/17; vs. Missouri, 11/14/16) 1Darrien Washington (Six Times, Washington State, 12/22/17) 1Hannah Whitish (Five Times, at Drake, 12/9/17) 1Bria Stallworth (UMass, Twice, vs. Hartford, 12/22/15) 1

MINUTES PLAYEDPlayer (Game, Date) MinutesHannah Whitish (vs. Michigan State, 2/26/17) 44Bria Stallworth (UMass vs. Fordham, 3/3/16) 42Jasmine Cincore (at Drake, 12/9/17) 41 Janay Morton (EMU vs. Western Michigan, 2/6/16) 39 Nicea Eliely (vs. Illinois, 3/1/17) 37Maddie Simon (at Drake, 12/9/17) 34Kate Cain (at Drake, 12/9/17) 34 Taylor Kissinger (vs. Creighton, 11/19/17) 32Rachel Blackburn (vs. NC State, 12/3/15) 30Emily Wood (vs. UAPB, 12/2/17) 29Grace Mitchell (at Illinois, 1/15/17) 22Darrien Washington (vs. UTRGV, 11/12/16) 20

THREE-POINTERS MADEPlayer (Game, Date) 3FG MadeJanay Morton (EMU vs. Buffalo, 1/18/14) 7Taylor Kissinger (vs. Coastal Carolina, 11/24/17) 5Hannah Whitish (at Drake, 12/9/17; vs. Michigan St., 2/26/17) 5Bria Stallowrth (UMass vs. Dayton, 2/17/16) 5Emily Wood (vs. Washington State, 12/22/17) 5Nicea Eliely (vs. Illinois, 3/1/17) 4Jasmine Cincore (vs. Illinois, 3/1/17) 3Maddie Simon (at Ohio St., 1/29/17; vs. N’western, 2/28/16) 3 Grace Mitchell (Five Times, vs. UAPB, 12/2/17) 1

(#31) Kate Cain, 6-5, Fr., Center


KISSINGER RETURNING TO SPEED AFTER SIX-GAME ABSENCE • A newcomer to the Nebraska backcourt in 2017-18, true freshman Taylor Kissinger was one of the top three-point shooters in the nation coming out of high school and was ranked among the nation’s top 50 overall players. • The four-time all-state selection for the Whippets had both her junior and senior seasons of high school cut short by hand/arm injuries. • The 6-1 guard from Minden, Neb., had an excellent summer and progressed quickly in Nebraska’s program, gaining strength and making an impact in practice. • Kissinger joined Hannah Whitish as the only two Huskers to start each the first seven games this season, Kissinger did not play in wins over Arkansas Pine Bluff (Dec. 2), at Kansas (Dec. 6), at Drake (Dec. 9), at San Jose State (Dec. 17) or over Florida Atlantic (Dec. 19) after suffering a minor knee injury late in the game against Clemson (Nov. 30). She also missed a loss to Washington State (Dec. 22). • She returned to action after a six-game absence by scoring eight points off the bench in Nebraska’s Big Ten opener with No. 12 Ohio State (Dec. 28). • Kissinger followed with nine points, six rebounds and an assist in 18 minutes off the bench in Nebraska’s win at Minnesota (Dec. 31). • Nebraska’s leading scorer through the first seven games as a starter (14.0 ppg), Kissinger ranks second on the team with 12.8 points per game. She averaged a team-best 3.0 made threes through the first seven games. • Kissinger needs nine more threes to produce one of the top-five season totals (33) by a freshman in school history. • She produced the best performance of her young career with a game-high 25 points to lead Nebraska to an 80-69 win over Arkansas (Nov. 16). Kissinger hit 9-of-15 shots from the floor, including 4-of-7 threes, and 3-of-4 free throws against the Razorbacks. She added career highs with eight rebounds and four assists against the Hogs to go along with a steal. • She set a career high with five threes, scoring 15 points in a win over Coastal Carolina (Nov. 24). • Kissinger led Nebraska with 17 points to go along with six rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal against Clemson (Nov. 30). • She averaged 14.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in two games at the San Juan Shootout in Daytona Beach, Fla., Nov. 23-24. She also established a career high with three steals against Buffalo (Nov. 23). • Kissinger pumped in 18 points and four three-pointers in Nebraska’s win over UMKC (Nov. 14). • She managed five points, three rebounds, three assists, a career-high two blocks, and an assist in a career-high 32 minutes going head-to-head against her older sister, Brooke, in Nebraska’s game with Creighton (Nov. 19). • Kissinger opened her career as a starter and managed five points and three rebounds despite battling foul trouble in a win over SIUE (Nov. 11). She scored Nebraska’s first three points of the season. • Kissinger’s older twin sisters are both Division I guards, with Brooke in her second season at Creighton after spending her first two seasons at Illinois, and Jamie in her fourth season at San Diego.

CINCORE STEPPING UP AS SENIOR • Senior Jasmine Cincore has played solid basketball through the first 15 games of 2017-18, averaging 7.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and a team-best 1.6 steals per game. • Cincore, who has five double-figure scoring efforts this season, produced one of her top efforts with 10 points, four rebounds and four assists in a win over Florida Atlantic (Dec. 19). • She added 11 points and three rebounds in Nebraska’s win at Minnesota (Dec. 31). • The 5-10 guard from Arlington, Tenn., enjoyed one of the best performances of her career with 14 points, five rebounds, three assists, three steals and a block in a win over Arkansas (Nov. 16). • She had another big game with 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals in Nebraska’s win at Drake (Dec. 9). • Cincore had a strong all-around game with 10 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals against Buffalo (Nov. 23). • She had five points, four assists and two steals while being a disruptive force in the fourth quarter in a win at Kansas (Dec. 6). Cincore helped the Huskers hold KU without a field goal in the final period. • Cincore owns a team-leading 49 career starts as a Husker. She leads NU with 24 steals this season.

HUSKERS BY THE NUMBERSNU leads after 1st quarter 8-0NU trails after 1st quarter 2-5NU tied after 1st quarter 0-0NU leads at the half 6-0NU trails at the half 4-5NU is tied at the half 0-0NU leads after 3rd quarter 8-1NU trails after 3rd quarter 2-4NU tied after 3rd quarter 0-0NU in overtime 1-0

NU attempts more FG than opponent 4-1NU attempts fewer FG than opponent 6-4NU attempts same number of FG as opponent 0-0

NU makes more FG than opponent 10-1 NU makes fewer FG than opponent 0-3NU makes same number of FG as opponent 0-1

NU has better FG Pct. than opponent 10-1NU has worse FG Pct. than opponent 0-4

NU shoots 50 percent or better from field 3-0NU shoots less than 50 percent from field 7-5

NU shoots 40 percent or better from field 7-2NU shoots less than 40 percent from field 3-3

NU shoots more FT than opponent 2-2NU shoots fewer FT than opponent 8-2NU shoots same number of FT as opponent 0-1

NU makes more FT than opponent 2-2NU makes fewer FT than opponent 8-3NU makes same number of FT as opponent 0-0

NU has more total rebounds than opponent 8-3NU has fewer total rebounds than opponent 2-2NU has same number of total rebounds as opp. 0-0

NU has more offensive rebounds than opponent 6-3NU has fewer offensive rebounds than opponent 4-2NU has same number of off. rbs. as opponent 0-0

NU has more assists than opponent 10-4NU has fewer assists than opponent 0-1NU has same number of assists as opponent 0-0

NU has more turnovers than opponent 6-4NU has fewer turnovers than opponent 4-1NU has same number of turnovers as opponent 0-0

NU has more steals than opponent 5-2NU has fewer steals than opponent 4-2NU has same number of steals as opponent 1-1NU has more blocked shots than opponent 6-5NU has fewer blocked shots than opponent 3-0NU has same number of blocks as opponent 1-0NU commits more fouls than opponent 5-2NU commits fewer fouls than opponent 5-2NU commits same number of fouls as opponent 0-1Games are decided by 20 or more points 3-0Games are decided by 10 or more points 4-4Games are decided by 9 or fewer points 4-1Games are decided by 5 or fewer points 2-1Games are decided by 3 or fewer points 0-1Overtime Games 1-0Playing on Monday 0-0Playing on Tuesday 2-0Playing on Wednesday 1-0Playing on Thursday 1-3Playing on Friday 1-1Playing on Saturday 3-0Playing on Sunday 2-1Playing in November 4-3Playing in December 6-2Playing in January 0-0Playing in February 0-0Playing in March 0-0

(#33) Taylor Kissinger, 6-1, Fr., Guard

(#34) Jasmine Cincore, 5-10, Sr., Guard


• Cincore scored eight points and tied a career high with four steals in Nebraska’s win over UMKC (Nov. 14). She added three assists against the Roos. • Cincore started every game a year ago and averaged 6.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per contest. A solid defender, she ranked second on the squad with 31 total steals. • Nebraska’s 2016-17 Women’s Basketball Lifter of the Year, Cincore has the strength to guard larger players inside and could be used in a small forward/power forward role this season, even though she has experience playing point guard in her career. She also claimed Nebraska’s Kathy Branchaud Most Improved Rebounder Award a year ago. • The two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection is also a nominee for the 2018 Senior CLASS Award. The advertising and public relations major took time out in late spring of 2017 to serve as part of a mission trip to Nigeria coordinated by Nebraska Assistant Coach Tom Goehle.

GRADUATE WOOD CONTINUES TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE • Nebraska gains more experience, depth and leadership from senior contributor Emily Wood. The 5-5 guard from Salina, Kan., originally came to Nebraska as a walk-on before earning a scholarship in her first season. • Arguably Nebraska’s hardest worker on the court, Wood’s gritty determination and countless hours in the gym have allowed her to increase her skill level exponentially over the past few seasons. • Her hard work is paying off on the court this season, as one of the Big Ten’s most improved players. Wood led the conference in three-point field goal percentage (.481, 25-of-52) in non-conference play. • Wood’s 26 threes also rank among Big Ten leaders and are two more than her career total (24) through 60 career games entering this season. • Wood has five games with three or more threes in 2016-17. • She has 12 steals this season, which are three more than her career total (9) entering her senior year. Her 37 rebounds are 11 more than the 26 she had in 29 games in 2016-17. • Wood is averaging 6.1 points per game - a 4.0 points per game improvement over a year ago. She averaged 2.1 points and 0.9 rebounds in 2016-17. • Over the last eight games, Wood is averaging 7.3 points and 2.8 rebounds. She has produced the first three double-figure scoring efforts of her career during that span. • Wood closed non-conference play with a career-best 19-point effort against Washington State (Dec. 22), when she buried 5-of-7 threes and 7-of-10 shots overall from the field. • Wood made the first two starts of her career at the San Juan Shootout in Daytona Beach, Fla., Nov. 23-24. She added a third start in Nebraska’s win over Arkansas Pine Bluff (Dec. 2). • She scored a then-career-high 12 points and knocked down four threes against Arkansas Pine Bluff (Dec. 2). She also tied her then-career high with four rebounds while tying another career best with three steals against the Lady Lions. • She produced her second double-figure scoring effort with 11 points, including eight in Nebraska’s decisive fourth quarter, in a win over Florida Atlantic (Dec. 19). • Wood contributed seven points and a career-high eight rebounds in a win at San Jose State (Dec. 17). Her production came despite a rare off-shooting day. • Wood’s previous career highs in points (9) and three-pointers (3) were achieved twice earlier this season against Coastal Carolina (Nov. 24) and UMKC (Nov. 14). She also tied her previous career best with four rebounds against the Roos. • Despite the increased competition for playing time in the backcourt this season, Wood gladly accepted the role of pushing herself and her teammates by putting in a huge summer in the gym and the weight room. She also completed her bachelor’s degree in management from Nebraska in just three seasons and is pushing herself to complete her MBA from Nebraska in 2018. • A two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, Wood was one of five Nebraska Outstanding Scholars in 2017. Nebraska’s Big Ten Sportsmanship Award winner across all women’s sports, Wood is a nominee for the 2018 Senior CLASS Award and will likely be a candidate for CoSIDA Academic All-America honors. • One of Nebraska’s top contributors in the community, Wood was a Nebraska Student-Athlete HERO Award winner in 2016, and was among a select group of Husker student-athletes to take part in a mission trip to the Dominican Republic in 2016. • Wood celebrated her 22nd birthday by getting engaged on Oct. 17, 2017. Her younger sister, Lindsey is a member of the 2017-18 Nebraska Cheer Squad and is expected to be a regular at Nebraska women’s basketball games.

ASSOCIATED PRESSTOP 25

(MONDAY, JAN. 1, 2018)1-UConn (11-0) [32]................................ 800 (1)2-Notre Dame (13-1) .............................. 750 (2)3-Louisville (16-0) ................................... 736 (3)4-South Carolina (12-1) .......................... 680 (4)5-Mississippi State (15-0) ....................... 677 (5)6-Baylor (12-1) ........................................ 634 (6)7-Tennessee (13-0) ................................. 619 (7)8-Texas (11-1) ......................................... 600 (8)9-Oregon (13-2) .................................... 515 (10)10-Ohio State (13-2) .......................... 485 (12)11-Florida State (13-1) .......................... 455 (13)12-West Virginia (13-1) ........................... 453 (9)13-Maryland (13-2) ........................... 420 (15)14-UCLA (10-3) ..................................... 371 (11)15-Missouri (13-1) ................................ 362 (16)16-Oregon State (11-2) ......................... 323 (17)17-Duke (11-3) ...................................... 291 (14)18-Iowa (14-1) ................................... 228 (23)19-Texas A&M (11-4) ............................ 172 (22)20-Oklahoma State (11-2) .................... 161 (24)21-Villanova (11-1) ............................... 126 (18)22-Michigan (12-3) ............................ 105 (21)23-California (10-3) ................................ 94 (20)24-Stanford (8-6) ................................... 85 (NR)25-Arizona State (11-3).......................... 67 (NR)Note: Nebraska 2017-18 opponents in italics.NU Opponents Receiving Votes: 27-Rutgers (47)

USA TODAY COACHES TOP 25

(TUESDAY, JAN. 2, 2018)1-UConn (11-0) [32]................................ 800 (1)2-Notre Dame (13-1) .............................. 745 (2)3-Mississippi State (15-0) ....................... 725 (3)4-Louisville (16-0) ................................... 718 (4)5-South Carolina (12-1) .......................... 676 (5)6-Baylor (12-1) ........................................ 634 (6)7-Tennessee (13-0) ................................. 596 (7)8-Texas (11-1) ......................................... 586 (8)9-Oregon (13-2) .................................... 529 (10)10-Ohio State (13-2) .......................... 494 (11)11-West Virginia (13-1) ........................... 466 (9)12-Florida State (13-1) .......................... 463 (13)13-Maryland (13-2) ........................... 423 (14)14-UCLA (10-3) ..................................... 377 (12)15-Missouri (13-1) ................................ 353 (16)16-Oregon State (11-2) ......................... 318 (17)17-Iowa (14-1) ..................................255 (T21)18-Duke (11-3) ...................................... 254 (15)19-Texas A&M (11-4) .......................... 157 (T21)20-Michigan (12-3) ............................ 152 (19)21-Villanova (11-1) ............................... 144 (18)22-South Florida (11-3) ........................ 131 (24)23-Oklahoma State (11-2) ................... 115 (NR)24-Green Bay (11-2) ............................... 59 (20)25-Rutgers (14-2) .................................54 (NR)Note: Nebraska 2017-18 opponents in italics.NU Opponents Receiving Votes:

(#12) Emily Wood, 5-5, Sr., Guard


MORTON ADDS EXPERIENCE, BUT BATTLES INJURY • Nebraska’s most experienced Division I player is newcomer Janay Morton. The 5-10 guard from Brooklyn Park, Minn., was a three-year starter at Eastern Michigan before transferring to Nebraska prior to the start of the 2016-17 season. • Morton spent a year working in Nebraska’s system while redshirting because of NCAA transfer rules. • Morton gained a level of comfort and confidence in the system last year, but hit a speed bump during the summer with a foot injury. She underwent surgery in late-September of 2017, but was expected to return to action for the start of the regular season. She was slowed in non-conference play seeing action in just four games after missing NU’s first six contests. She also missed Nebraska’s wins over San Jose State (Dec. 17) and Florida Atlantic (Dec. 19) before returning to play one minute against Washington State (Dec. 22) and two minutes against Ohio State (Dec. 28). • She contributed three points, a rebound and an assist in seven minutes off the bench in Nebraska’s 79-74 win in front of family and friends at Minnesota (Dec. 31). • She did not play in Nebraska’s first six games of 2017-18, but she saw her first action with 10 minutes off the bench against Clemson (Nov. 30). Morton had five points and three rebounds against the Tigers. • Morton had three points, two boards and an assist in a win over Arkansas Pine Bluff (Dec. 2). • She added a three-pointer off the bench in the win at Kansas (Dec. 6). • Morton is a proven performer. She earned All-MAC honors as a junior and was a member of the 2016 MAC All-Defensive Team. In three seasons at Eastern Michigan, Morton totaled 1,341 points, 359 rebounds, 249 assists and 223 steals, while averaging nearly 1,000 minutes per season.

STALLWORTH ADDING SOLID PLAY AT POINT • Another Division I transfer, Bria Stallworth is making an impact for the Huskers this season. The 5-6 sophomore from Chicago sat out alongside Morton because of NCAA transfer rules last season. • Stallworth erupted for team highs of 21 points and six assists off the bench to lead Nebraska to a season-opening win over SIUE (Nov. 11). She hit 7-of-14 shots from the floor, including 3-of-6 three-pointers, while knocking down 4-of-5 free throws to seal the win. • She added nine points, including four consecutive free throws in the final minute, to close Nebraska’s 80-69 win over Arkansas (Nov. 16). • Stallworth is averaging 4.1 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists through 15 games. • She was solid in Nebraska’s road win at Minnesota (Dec. 31) with two points, a rebound, three assists and a steal in 10 minutes off the bench. • In Nebraska’s exhibition win over Minnesota State (Nov. 5), Stallworth came off the bench to score 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting while adding three assists. • Stallworth, who earned a spot on the Atlantic-10 All-Rookie Team as a true freshman in 2015-16, is a quick, play-making guard who can also defend and score. In fact, she led all A-10 freshman by averaging 13.2 points per game at UMass in 2015-16. • She hit 35.7 percent of her three-point attempts and 81.8 percent of her free throws while playing nearly 1,000 minutes in her only season at UMass.

2017-18 BIG TEN STANDINGSTeam Overall (Big Ten)Rutgers 15-2 (3-0)#18 Iowa 14-1 (2-0) #10 Ohio State 13-2 (2-0)#13 Maryland 13-2 (2-0)Michigan State 12-4 (2-1) #22 Michigan 12-3 (1-1) Minnesota 12-3 (1-1)Nebraska 10-5 (1-1)Purdue 10-6 (1-1) Northwestern 8-9 (1-2)Penn State 10-6 (1-2) Illinois 9-8 (0-3) Indiana 7-9 (0-3) Wisconsin 7-8 (0-2)

BIG TEN PLAYER OF THE WEEKNov. 13 - Megan Gustafson, Jr., F (Iowa)Nov. 20 - Kenisha Bell, Jr., G (Minnesota) Ae’Rianna Harris, So., F (Purdue)Nov. 27 - Kelsey Mitchell, Sr., G (Ohio State)Dec. 4 - Megan Gustafson, Jr., F (Iowa)Dec. 11 - Hannah Whitish, So., G (Nebraska)Dec. 18 - Megan Gustafson, Jr., F (Iowa) Kelsey Mitchell, Sr., G (Ohio State)Dec. 26 - Megan Gustafson, Jr., F (Iowa)Jan. 2 - Megan Gustafson, Jr., F (Iowa)

BIG TEN FRESHMAN OF THE WEEKNov. 13 - Kate Cain, Fr., C (Nebraska) Karissa McLaughlin, Fr., G (Purdue)Nov. 20 - Destiny Pitts, Fr., G/F (Minnesota)Nov. 27 - Destiny Pitts, Fr., G/F (Minnesota)Dec. 4 - Kate Cain, Fr., C (Nebraska)Dec. 11 - Kate Cain, Fr., C (Nebraska)Dec. 18 - Destiny Pitts, Fr., G/F (Minnesota)Dec. 26 - Kate Cain, Fr., C (Nebraska)Jan. 2 - Destiny Pitts, Fr., G/F (Minnesota)

THIS WEEK IN BIG TENWOMEN’S BASKETBALLWednesday, Jan. 3Rutgers 76, Illinois 37Penn State 77, Indiana 74Michigan State 81, Northwestern 51

Thursday, Jan. 4#18 Iowa at #13 Maryland, 5 p.m. [BTN] Minnesota at #10 Ohio State, 6 p.m. [BTN Plus]#22 Michigan at Wisconsin, 7 p.m. [BTN]

Saturday, Jan. 6Purdue at Indiana, 1 p.m. [BTN Plus]Penn State at Rutgers, 3:30 p.m. [BTN]

Sunday, Jan. 7#10 Ohio State at #22 Michigan, 11 a.m. [ESPN2]#18 Iowa at Illinois, 1 p.m. [BTN]#13 Maryland at Wisconsin, 2 p.m. [BTN Plus]Nebraska at Northwestern, 2 p.m. [BTN Plus]Michigan State at Minnesota, 3 p.m. [BTN]

Wednesday, Jan. 10Indiana at #22 Michigan, 6 p.m. [BTN Plus]Minnesota at Penn State, 6 p.m. [BTN Plus]Rutgers at Purdue, 6 p.m. [BTN Plus]Nebraska at Illinois, 7 p.m. [BTN Plus]

Thursday, Jan. 12Michigan State at #13 Maryland, 7 p.m. [BTN]Wisconsin at Northwestern, 7 p.m. [BTN Plus]

(#13) Janay Morton, 5-10, Sr., Guard

(#15) Bria Stallworth, 5-6, So., Guard


NU CAREER 20-POINT GAMESHannah Whitish (3)at Drake (12/9/17) 29at Kansas (12/6/17) 29Michigan State (2/26/17) 24

Kate Cain (1)Florida Atlantic (12/19/17) - triple-double 22

Taylor Kissinger (1)Arkansas (11/16/17) 25

Maddie Simon (1)at San Jose State (12/17/17) 20

Bria Stallworth (1)SIU Edwardsville (11/11/17) 21

NU CAREER DOUBLE FIGURE GAMESPlayer (Years) Games1. Hannah Whitish (2017-present) 212. Jasmine Cincore (2015-present) 133. Nicea Eliely (2017-present) 124. Maddie Simon (2016-present) 125. Kate Cain (2018-present) 96. Taylor Kissinger (2018-present) 57. Emily Wood (2015-present) 38. Rachel Blackburn (2016-present) 1 Grace Mitchell (2017-present) 1 Bria Stallworth (2018-present) 1

MOST BLOCKS IN A SEASONBY A HUSKER FRESHMANPlayer (Years) BlocksT1. Kate Cain (2017-18, 15 games) 54T1. Janet Smith (1978-79, 34 games) 543. Kathy Hagerstrom (1979-80, 40 games) 424. Katie Robinette (2001-02, 29 games) 335. Danielle Page (2004-05, 32 games) 31

MOST BLOCKS IN A GAMEBY A HUSKER FRESHMANPlayer (Game) Blocks1. Kate Cain vs. FAU, Dec. 19, 2017 (NU record) 112. Kate Cain vs. Clemson, Nov. 30, 2017 6 Janet Smith vs. Okla. St., Jan. 12, 1979 6 Jeanne Boller vs. Wichita St., Feb. 5, 1977 6T5. Kate Cain at Kansas, Dec. 6, 2017 5

HUSKER DOUBLE-DOUBLESPlayer (Years) Double-Doubles1. Kate Cain (2017-18) 4 (1 triple-double)

NEBRASKA NCAA APPEARANCES13 Appearances, 21 Games (8-13 Record)Season (Sd.) Opponent Site Result2015 (9) vs. (8) Syracuse Columbia, S.C. L, 69-722014 (4) vs. (12) BYU Los Angeles, Calif. L, 76-802014 (4) vs. (13) Fresno St. Los Angeles, Calif. W, 74-552013 (6) vs. (2) Duke Norfolk, Va. L, 45-532013 (6) at (3) Texas A&M College Station, Texas W, 74-632013 (6) vs. (11) Chattanooga College Station, Texas W, 73-592012 (6) vs. (11) Kansas Little Rock L, 49-572010 (1) vs. (4) Kentucky Kansas City L, 67-762010 (1) vs. (8) UCLA Minneapolis W, 83-702010 (1) vs. (16) Northern Iowa Minneapolis W, 83-442008 (8) at (1) Maryland College Park, Md. L, 64-762008 (8) vs. (9) Xavier College Park, Md. W, 61-582007 (9) vs. (8) Temple Raleigh, N.C. L, 61-642000 (12) vs. (5) Boston College Charlottesville, Va. L, 76-931999 (11) vs. (6) Kentucky Los Angeles L, 92-981998 (9) at (1) Old Dominion Norfolk, Va. L, 60-751998 (9) vs. (8) New Mexico Norfolk, Va. W, 76-591996 (9) vs. (8) Colo. St. Stanford, Calif. L, 62-661993 (6) at (3) USC Los Angeles L, 60-781993 (6) vs. (11) San Diego Lincoln W, 81-581988 (5) at (4) USC Los Angeles L, 82-100

MITCHELL WORKING TO CONTRIBUTE INSIDE • Another young power forward for the Huskers who is finding a greater role than a year ago is Grace Mitchell. The 6-2 sophomore from Wellington, Kan., played in all 29 games and averaged nearly 11 minutes per contest. • Mitchell produced a nine-point, five-rebound performance in 16 minutes off the bench at San Jose State (Dec. 17). She has put up season averages to 3.2 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. • She produced her best performance as a collegian with a career-high 10 points while adding three rebounds in the win over UMKC (Nov. 14). • Mitchell followed with four first-half points to go along with a career-high six rebounds in 11 minutes off the bench in Nebraska’s win over Arkansas (Nov. 16). • She made her first career start against Creighton (Nov. 19) in place of Maddie Simon who was injured in pregame warmups. Mitchell played well against the Jays with seven points on 3-of-6 shooting while adding five rebounds in a season-high 20 minutes. • Mitchell made her second start in a win over Coastal Carolina (Nov. 24). She had four points, three rebounds and two assists in 16 minutes against the Chanticleers. • Mitchell had four points and four rebounds in 11 minutes against Arkansas Pine Bluff (Dec. 2), knocking down her first three-pointer of the season.

BLACKBURN GRADUALLY RETURNING TO SPEED • The Huskers welcomed the return of Rachel Blackburn inside to bolster them at both ends of the court. The 6-3 forward from Leavenworth, Kan., was a starter early in her freshman season of 2015-16, before succumbing to severe knee pain. • Blackburn redshirted after multiple knee surgeries last season and was extremely limited for nearly a full year. She slowly progressed this preseason and her workload has increased as weeks have passed. • She produced her best effort of the season with six points and four rebounds in 10 minutes off the bench in Nebraska’s win over Arkansas (Nov. 16). She also drew a pair of charges against the Razorbacks to give her three on the season. • Blackburn had four points and three boards against Creighton (Nov. 19). She played a season-high 15 minutes in a win over Coastal Carolina (Nov. 24) and matched a season high with five rebounds against the Chanticleers after grabbing five rebounds against Buffalo (Nov. 23). She also had a season-high two assists against the Bulls. • Blackburn had four points, two rebounds and two assists in 11 minutes off the bench in the win over Arkansas Pine Bluff (Dec. 2). She had two points and two rebounds in the win at Kansas (Dec. 6). • Blackburn opened the regular season with three rebounds in eight minutes off the bench in Nebraska’s win over SIUE (Nov. 11). She added two points and three more rebounds while taking her first charge of the season in 10 minutes of work in Nebraska’s win over UMKC (Nov. 14). • In the first nine games of her career, Blackburn averaged 6.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game while providing suffocating defense at the rim.

WASHINGTON MOVES FORWARD IN OFFSEASON • Nebraska’s lone returning post player from a year ago, Darrien Washington returns for her fourth season as a Husker in 2017-18. • The 6-2 junior from Oakland, Calif., averaged 2.3 points and 3.0 rebounds in 12 minutes per contest last season while playing in 23 games. • Washington made her first career start in Nebraska’s season-opening win over SIUE (Nov. 11). She had two points, three rebounds and her fourth career assist in eight minutes. • She had a season high five points to go along with four rebounds and a steal in Nebraska’s win at San Jose State (Dec. 17). She also had four rebounds against UMKC (Nov. 14) and Creighton (Nov. 19), and recorded steals against Creighton (Nov. 19) and at Kansas (Dec. 6). • She had a season-high five rebounds and a career-high two assists against Ohio State (Dec. 28). • Washington managed four points against Buffalo (Nov. 23) at the San Juan Shootout.

(#14) Grace Mitchell, 6-2, So., Forward

(#43) Rachel Blackburn, 6-3, So., Forward

(#50) Darrien Washington, 6-2, Jr., Center


HUSKERS SIGN SECOND STRAIGHT TOP 20 CLASS • Nebraska received National Letters of Intent from four standout high school seniors from Iowa, Minnesota and Indiana on the first day of the early signing period on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017. • Nebraska’s recruiting class was ranked No. 20 in the nation by the ESPN rankings at the start of the early signing period. Coach Amy Williams’ first Nebraska class, which consisted of current Husker freshmen Taylor Kissinger and Kate Cain, was also ranked No. 20 nationally, giving the second-year Husker head coach and her staff back-to-back top-20 classes. • The first commitment to the Huskers in this year’s class, Ashtyn Veerbeek made her commitment to Nebraska in December of 2016. The 6-2 forward out of Western Christian High School in Hull, Iowa, is ranked as the No. 55 player in the nation by Blue Star, No. 66 by Prospects Nation and No. 68 by ESPN, which also ranked Veerbeek as the No. 9 forward in the Class of 2018. The Sioux Center native earned first-team Iowa Class 2A honors as a junior in 2016-17. She led Western Christian to Iowa Class 2A state title in 2017. Veerbeek averaged 22.8 points and 11.1 rebounds per game while shooting 80.3 percent from the free throw line as a junior. • Nebraska’s second commit to the class, Kayla Mershon will come to Lincoln as one of the top players in the state of Minnesota. The 6-3 forward from Chanhassen, Minn., who committed to the Huskers in February of 2017, was ranked as the No. 132 overall player in the nation by Prospects Nation and the No. 14 wing nationally by ESPN. As a junior, Mershon averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds in 2016-17. As a sophomore, she help Minnetonka High School to its first-ever state championship in 2016. • A North Tartan club teammate of Mershon’s, guard Sam Haiby committed to the Huskers in mid-May of 2017. A 5-9 guard, Haiby averaged 22.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 4.1 steals as a junior for Class 4A Moorhead High School in 2016-17. Haiby, who was ranked as the No. 122 player in the country by Prospects Nation, the No. 125 player by Blue Star and the No. 28 guard nationally by ESPN, enters her senior season with 1,856 career points. • Leigha Brown, a 6-1 guard out of DeKalb High School in Indiana, rounds out Nebraska’s class. Brown, who also committed to the Huskers in May, averaged 22.9 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists last season as a first-team Class 4A choice and an Supreme 15 Underclass All-State selection in 2016-17. She was ranked as the No. 21 forward nationally by ESPN. • “We are really excited about this entire group of high-achieving young women,” Nebraska Coach Amy Williams said. “They not only have had strong careers so far, but they are all on track to have great senior seasons. They have all shown an impressive commitment to our program during the recruiting process. They are high-character individuals with incredible work ethics and competitive spirits. We are looking forward to helping them achieve their goals on and off the court.”

SCHEDULE PROVIDES CHALLENGING OPPORTUNITIES • Nebraska will be challenged by a strong schedule, but it should be a bit more manageable than the suffocating schedule the Huskers faced a year ago. • The Husker schedule features non-conference home games against Power Five teams Arkansas (SEC, Nov. 16), Clemson (ACC, Nov. 30) and Washington State (Pac-12, Dec. 22) at Pinnacle Bank Arena. • The Huskers clashed with in-state rival Creighton (BIG EAST, Nov. 19), along with other non-conference home contests against SIU Edwardsville (Nov. 11), UMKC (Nov. 14), Arkansas Pine Bluff (Dec. 2) and Florida Atlantic (Dec. 19). • The Big Red’s non-conference road schedule started with the San Juan Shootout, which was played in Daytona Beach, Fla., in a move from Puerto Rico that followed the devastation of Hurricane Maria. The Huskers faced Buffalo (Nov. 23) and Coastal Carolina (Nov. 24) at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach. • NU returned to road action with a win at Kansas (Dec. 6), before beating Drake in double-overtime in Des Moines (Dec. 9). The Huskers closed road non-conference play with an 81-55 victory at San Jose State (Dec. 17). The win gave Nebraska its first perfect (3-0) record in true road non-conference play for the first time since 2009-10 and just the fourth time in school history. • Nebraska opened Big Ten play against defending conference co-champion Ohio State (Dec. 28), before beginning a three-game Big Ten road trip with a 79-74 win at Minnesota (Dec. 31). The trip concludes with Northwestern (Jan. 7) and Illinois (Jan. 10). • The Huskers return to Pinnacle Bank Arena for back-to-back games against Michigan (Jan. 13) and Iowa (Jan. 16), before heading to Piscataway, N.J., to joust with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (Jan. 21). • Nebraska then opens a stretch with four-of-five games at home, starting against Purdue (Jan. 24), before a brief trip to Iowa City to complete the season series with the Hawkeyes (Jan. 28). Home games against Illinois (Feb. 1), Maryland (Feb. 4) and Wisconsin (Feb. 11) follow at Pinnacle Bank Arena. • Road games at Michigan State (Feb. 14) and Indiana (Feb. 17) set up Senior Night against Penn State (Feb. 22) at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The Huskers close the regular season on the road at defending Big Ten champion Maryland (Feb. 25), before the Big Ten Tournament returns to Indianapolis (Feb. 28-March 4).

NEBRASKA STREAKS • Sophomore guard Hannah Whitish (32) owns the longest current streak of consecutive starts by a Husker. Nebraska’s second-longest streak is 14 games by freshman Kate Cain. • Whitish is the only Husker to start all 15 games this season. • Kate Cain has blocked at least one shot in each of the first 15 games of her career. She has 14 games with two or more blocks, including 11 straight games.

NEBRASKA IN BIG TEN STATISTICSTEAM (Through games Jan. 1)Scoring Offense - 7th (70.7 ppg)Scoring Defense - 9th (64.7 ppg)Scoring Margin - 9th (+5.9 ppg)Free Throw Pct. - 14th (.617) Field Goal Pct. - 11th (.418)Field Goal Pct. Defense - 3rd (.359)3FG Pct. - 8th (.337)3FG Pct. Defense - 6th (.309)Total Rebounds - 6th (43.0 rpg)Rebounds Allowed - 12th (38.5 rpg)Rebound Margin - 7th (+4.5 rpg)Blocked Shots - 3rd (5.4 bpg)Assists - 5th (17.3 apg)Steals - 8th (7.7 spg)Turnover Margin - 10th (-0.3 pg)Assist-to-Turnover Ratio - 5th (1.1)Offensive Rebounds - 4th (14.6 rpg)Defensive Rebounds - 5th (28.4 rpg)Offensive Rebound Pct. - 7th (.367)Defensive Rebound Pct. - 10th (.679)3FG Made - 4th (7.7 pg)INDIVIDUAL (Through games Jan. 1)Scoring - Hannah Whitish - T18th (13.1 ppg)Rebounding - Kate Cain - T14th (7.6 rpg)Field Goal Pct. - Kate Cain - 7th (.580)Defensive Rebounds - Kate Cain - 9th (5.5 rpg)Blocked Shots - Kate Cain - 1st (3.6 bpg)3FG Pct. - Emily Wood - 3rd (.464)3FG Made - Hannah Whitish - T13th (2.1 pg)FT Pct. - Hannah Whitish - 12th (.783)Assists - Hannah Whitish - 4th (5.3 apg)Assist-to-Turnover Ratio - Hannah Whitish - 7th (2.4)Assist-to-Turnover Ratio - Jasmine Cincore - T10th (2.2)Steals - Jasmine Cincore - T14th (1.6 spg)

NEBRASKA IN NCAA RANKINGSTEAM (Through games Jan. 1)Win-Loss Pct. - 94th (.667)Scoring Offense - 101st (70.7 ppg)Scoring Defense - 163rd (64.7 ppg)Scoring Margin - 120th (5.9 ppg)FG Pct. - 119th (.418)FG Pct. Defense - 42nd (.359)FT Pct. - 321st (.617)Rebounds Per Game - 35th (43.0)Rebound Margin - 93rd (+4.5 rpg)3FG Per Game - 64th (7.7 pg)3FG Pct. - 100th - (.337)3FG Pct. Defense - 156th (.309)3FG Attempted - 28th (344)Assists Per Game - 32nd (17.3 apg)Assist-to-Turnover Ratio - 59th (1.1)Turnovers Per Game - 141st (15.7 pg)Turnover Margin - 203rd (-0.27 pg)Fewest Turnovers - 258th (236)Steals Per Game - 188th (7.7 spg)Blocked Shots - 15th (81)Blocked Shots Per Game - 28th (5.4 bpg)Personal Fouls Per Game - 187th (17.7 pg)Fewest Fouls - 310th (265)INDIVIDUAL (Top 100 rankings through Jan. 1)Blocked Shots Per Game - Kate Cain - 3rd (3.6 bpg)Blocked Shots - Kate Cain - 3rd (54) Triple-Doubles - Kate Cain - T3rd (1)Field Goal Pct. - Kate Cain - .580 (21st)Rebounds - Kate Cain - 97th (114)Assists - Hannah Whitish - 23rd (80)Assist-to-Turnover Ratio - Hannah Whitish - 50th (2.42)Assists Per Game - Hannah Whitish - 42nd (5.3 apg)


• Hannah Whitish has posted at least one assist in 17 consecutive games, and has three or more assists in 14 games this season, including 11 straight. • Whitish has knocked down a three-pointer in 12 consecutive games. • Taylor Kissinger has knocked down at least one three-pointer in eight consecutive games. • Kissinger has at least three rebounds in each of her nine games this season. • The Huskers have knocked down at least one three-pointer in 295 straight regular-season games dating back to a loss at UTEP on Dec. 20, 2008. • Nebraska has hit at least two three-pointers in 174 consecutive games.

NEBRASKA’S HISTORY OF HOME SUCCESS • Nebraska opened 2017-18 with a 62-53 win over SIU Edwardsville for its 12th consecutive season-opening win at home. The Huskers closed their 2016-17 home season with a 76-74 overtime win over Michigan State on Feb. 26 to finish 7-9 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in 2016-17. It snapped a streak of 13 consecutive seasons with double-figure home victories for the Big Red. • The Huskers are 5-4 at home in 2017-18. • Nebraska posted three home wins over top-50 RPI teams in 2016-17, including a 62-59 non-conference victory over Colorado State in the Preseason WNIT, and late-season wins over Indiana and Michigan State. • The Huskers went 15-4 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in 2015-16 after going 12-3 (13-3 at home) in 2014-15. The Huskers are 54-22 (.711) all-time at Pinnacle Bank Arena since the building opened for the 2013-14 campaign. The Big Red went 16-2 at home in 2013-14, suffering their only Big Ten loss to Purdue, 77-75, on Jan. 19, 2014. NU’s 16 home wins in 2013-14 tied the school record for single-season home victories. • The Huskers played the first regular-season game in the history of the arena against USA Today No. 25 UCLA (Nov. 8, 2013) and rolled to a 77-49 win over the Bruins. NU’s first win over an AP Top 25 team came with a 76-56 win over No. 24 Michigan State on Feb. 8, 2014. The Huskers added their first-ever win over an AP Top 10 team at the arena with a 94-74 victory over No. 8 Penn State on Feb. 24, 2014. • NU won its first-ever Big Ten home game at Pinnacle Bank Arena with a 66-65 thriller over Northwestern Jan. 2, 2014, before an 88-85 win over Minnesota on Jan. 16, 2014, marked the first overtime game. • NU suffered its first loss at the arena to Washington State (76-72) on Nov. 30, 2013. • The Huskers are 444-152 (.745) all-time at home. The Huskers have gone 180-56 (.763) over the last 15 seasons, posting double-figure home victory totals 13 times. • Nebraska played in the Devaney Center from 1976-77 through 2012-13, and added one appearance at Devaney against Utah on Nov. 23, 2014. The Huskers own a 389-130 record at the Devaney Center, including 146-88 (.624) mark in conference play.

NEBRASKA RANKS NEAR TOP IN ATTENDANCE • Nebraska ranked No. 17 nationally with an average home attendance of 4,712 in 2017-18. • Nebraska has ranked among the top 20 nationally in average home attendance in each of its first four seasons inside Pinnacle Bank Arena. • In 76 all-time home games at Pinnacle Bank Arena, the Huskers own a 54-22 record (.711 winning percentage) while averaging 5,408 fans per game (410,985 total fans/76 games). • Nebraska attracted a Pinnacle Bank Arena non-conference record crowd of 9,750 to open its stay in the arena with a win over UCLA on Nov. 8, 2013. • Nebraska set its all-time single-game record with a sellout crowd of 13,595 fans against Missouri at the Devaney Center on Feb. 27, 2010. NU drew 10 straight crowds of more than 10,000 fans at the Devaney Center in 2009-10. • Nebraska has ranked among the top-25 teams nationally in average home attendance for eight consecutive seasons, including a program-best No. 7 nationally with a record 7,390 fans per game at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in 2009-10. The Huskers went 16-0 at the Devaney Center on their way to a perfect 29-0 record, a Big 12 title and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

HUSKER SPORTS NETWORK COVERS WORLD The Husker Sports Network is in its 24th season producing and marketing the live broadcasts of Nebraska women’s basketball in 2017-18. Women’s basketball play-by-play announcer Matt Coatney and color commentator Jeff Griesch are teaming up for their 17th season together as the Huskers’ broadcast team. The Husker Sports Network and Nebraska women’s basketball have teamed up for well over a decade to take every game, home and away, around the world for free on Huskers.com. In addition to carrying every women’s basketball game free on Huskers.com, the Husker Sports Network flagship stations B107.3 FM-KBBK (Lincoln) and ESPN 590 AM-KXSP (Omaha) provide strong signals for Husker women’s basketball. When a network conflict occurs in Omaha, the Huskers also could be heard on CD105.9 FM-KKCD. 880-AM-KRVN (Lexington) also provides a huge AM signal statewide in central Nebraska, while more than 20 stations carry the Husker Sports Network’s women’s basketball coverage across the state and the Midwest. Inside Pinnacle Bank Arena, fans can access the direct radio call of the game at 87.7 FM.

NCAA DIVISION IMOST IMPROVED TEAMSNebraska is putting together one of the nation’s top turnarounds under second-year Coach Amy Williams. The Huskers are already plus-three in the win column heading into Sunday’s game at Northwestern. The only team in the country that has seen a greater increase in the win column through games Jan. 2 is fellow Big Ten Conference school Rutgers (+8).

The Huskers also own wins over two of the nation’s other most improved teams, at Kansas (66-49, Dec. 6) and Florida Atlantic (86-69, Dec. 19). Both the Jayhawks and Owls have won two more games than their final record a year ago.

Nebraska and Rutgers have shown the most improvement on the road this season. Last year, the Huskers (0-10) and Scarlet Knights (0-14) combined to go 0-24 in true road games. In 2017-18, the two teams are a combined 8-0.

Team 2016-17 2017-18 (+)1. Rutgers 6-24 14-2 (+8)2. Nebraska 7-22 10-5 (+3) Alabama A&M 2-25 5-7 (+3) Butler 6-25 9-5 (+3) Denver 6-24 9-7 (+3) UC Irvine 5-26 8-6 (+3)7. Florida Atlantic 4-25 6-5 (+

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WOMEN’S BASKETBALL GAME NOTES AT NORTHWESTERN, … · WOMEN’S BASKETBALL GAME NOTES AT NORTHWESTERN, JAN. 7, 2018 NEBRASKA 10-5 Overall 1-1 Big Ten 8-9 Overall 1-2 Big Ten. 2