LINCOLN, Neb. (Interstat) — The Nebraska women’s basketball team edged Indiana 78-73 in a Big Ten Conference game Thursday night at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The Cornhuskers improved to 14-2 overall, while the Hoosiers fell to 11-6. Shay Ciezki led all scorers with 31 points for Indiana, supported by Zania Socka-Nguemen’s 19. Nebraska countered with a balanced attack, led by Britt Prince’s 20 points and seven assists and Jessica Petrie’s 18 points. The Cornhuskers used a 12-3 advantage in offensive rebounds and a 25-point fourth quarter to secure the win before a crowd of 4,480. Nebraska shot 8 for 21 from 3-point range, while Indiana managed just 4 for 13.

LINCOLN, Neb. (Interstat) — In a pivotal Big Ten clash defined by a decisive fourth-quarter surge, the Nebraska women’s basketball team outlasted a determined Indiana squad 78-73 on Thursday night at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The game, played before a crowd of 4,480, saw the Cornhuskers improve to 14-2 overall, while the Hoosiers fell to 11-6. The contest was a tale of contrasting strengths, with Indiana’s offensive efficiency battling Nebraska’s relentless pressure and clutch shot-making down the stretch. The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the final period. After Indiana’s Shay Ciezki hit a jump shot to tie the game at 57 with 8:25 remaining, Nebraska unleashed a game-defining 13-5 run over the next four minutes. The spurt was fueled by the dynamic guard play of Britt Prince, who orchestrated the offense with precision. Prince assisted on a Logan Nissley three-pointer and then converted a pair of free throws, while Jessica Petrie added a crucial layup. The run was capped by a Prince jump shot that gave Nebraska a 70-62 lead with 4:28 left, its largest of the game to that point. Indiana, led by a heroic individual effort, refused to capitulate. Ciezki, who finished with a game-high 31 points, kept the Hoosiers within striking distance with a series of difficult shots. A three-pointer from Maya Makalusky with 1:58 to go cut the deficit to 72-70, injecting late drama into the contest. Nebraska’s response in the final two minutes, however, sealed the victory. After a Prince turnover gave Indiana possession with 36 seconds left and a chance to tie or take the lead, the Hoosiers committed a costly five-second violation on the ensuing inbounds play. Nebraska capitalized as Callin Hake sank a critical three-pointer on the next possession off a Petrie assist, pushing the lead back to five with 2:58 remaining. From there, Nebraska closed the game at the free-throw line, with Petrie hitting one of two with eight seconds left to establish the final margin. The game was a statistical paradox. Indiana shot a superior 50.9% from the field compared to Nebraska’s 41.8% and outscored the Cornhuskers 44-38 in the paint, largely behind Zania Socka-Nguemen’s 19 points. However, Nebraska’s advantages in key hustle categories proved overwhelming. The Cornhuskers dominated the offensive glass 12-3, leading to 12 second-chance points and helping them attempt 10 more field goals. They also committed only six turnovers while forcing 10, converting those into a decisive 19-9 edge in points off turnovers. Prince was the catalyst for Nebraska, stuffing the stat sheet with 20 points, seven assists and orchestrating the offense during the decisive fourth-quarter run. Petrie provided vital interior support with 18 points, two assists and two blocks. Nissley added 11 points, including two key three-pointers. For Indiana, Ciezki’s 31-point, four-assist performance was a tour de force, but she received limited support in the backcourt. Socka-Nguemen’s efficient 19-point effort on 9-of-13 shooting was a bright spot, while Makalusky chipped in 12 points. The Hoosiers’ offense, however, recorded only three assists as a team, highlighting a struggle to generate consistent ball movement against Nebraska’s defense. The first half set the stage for the tight finish. Nebraska opened a 23-20 lead after a fast-paced first quarter, but Indiana’s defense tightened in the second, holding the Cornhuskers to 15 points. The Hoosiers managed just 10 points themselves in the period, however, and trailed 38-30 at halftime. Indiana came out of the break with renewed vigor, exploding for 23 points in the third quarter to cut Nebraska’s lead to 53-50 heading into the final frame. The victory solidifies Nebraska’s strong start to conference play, while Indiana continues to search for consistency against the upper echelon of the Big Ten. Both teams return to action on Sunday, with Nebraska hosting UCLA and Indiana welcoming Iowa.

Preview: Indiana Hoosiers at Nebraska Cornhuskers LINCOLN, Neb. (Interstat) — A surging Nebraska women’s basketball team will look to protect its home court and solidify its strong start to the season when it hosts an Indiana squad seeking to end a skid on Thursday night. The No. 14-ranked Cornhuskers (13-2, 1-1 Big Ten) have won 10 of their last 11 games and are coming off a convincing 78-62 home victory over Purdue on Sunday. They will face the Hoosiers (11-5, 0-3) at Pinnacle Bank Arena in a Big Ten Conference matchup. Nebraska’s success has been fueled by standout guard Britt Prince. The sophomore is averaging 17.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. She is coming off a 17-point, 5-rebound performance against Purdue and scored 27 in a narrow road loss to Iowa on Jan. 1. Indiana, meanwhile, arrives in Lincoln on a three-game losing streak, all in conference play. The Hoosiers fell 82-67 at Maryland on Sunday. Their fortunes will lean heavily on guard Shay Ciezki, who leads the team in scoring. Ciezki has been a bright spot during the slump, averaging 20.3 points over the last three contests, including a 31-point outburst in a win over Louisiana-Monroe on Dec. 11. The Hoosiers have struggled offensively in Big Ten play, failing to reach 70 points in any of their three conference losses. Containing Prince and navigating a hostile road environment will be a significant challenge against a Nebraska team that is 8-0 at home this season and winning those games by an average margin of 38 points. Nebraska holds a 13-12 all-time series advantage, but Indiana has won seven of the last ten meetings. Thursday’s game is critical for both: Nebraska aims to build momentum before a tough stretch, while Indiana desperately needs a conference win to right its season. Following this game, Nebraska will host UCLA on Sunday. Indiana returns home to face Iowa on Sunday.