MINNEAPOLIS (Interstat) — A surging Minnesota women’s basketball team will look to extend its winning streak and solidify its standing in the Big Ten when it hosts a Nebraska squad seeking to halt a skid on Thursday night at Williams Arena. The Golden Gophers (18-6, 10-3 Big Ten), winners of six straight conference games, host the Cornhuskers (16-7, 7-6) in a pivotal late-season matchup. Minnesota sits near the top of the league standings, while Nebraska has dropped three consecutive games, including a 78-60 home loss to Maryland last Saturday. Minnesota’s recent success has been fueled by balanced play and the interior presence of Sophie Hart. The center is coming off a dominant 17-point, 10-rebound double-double in a 63-52 road win at Rutgers. Over the last five games, she has averaged 13.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks, providing a consistent anchor for the Gophers’ offense and defense. Nebraska will counter with guard Logan Nissley, who is coming off a 22-point performance in the loss to Maryland. She has been a bright spot during the team’s difficult stretch, averaging 12.3 points over the last seven contests. The Huskers will need more support around her, as the team has allowed an average of 85.3 points during its three-game losing streak. The teams have followed divergent paths in recent weeks. Since Jan. 18, Minnesota is 7-1, with its only loss coming at Washington. Nebraska is 3-5 over that same span, struggling on the road with losses at Michigan, Ohio State and Michigan State. Thursday’s contest begins a challenging final stretch for both teams. Minnesota will visit Wisconsin on Sunday before hosting Ohio State next Wednesday. Nebraska returns home to face Iowa on Monday before a two-game Pacific Northwest road trip. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. EST at the historic Barn, where the Gophers will aim to protect their home court and the Huskers will try to rediscover their early-season form.