Huskers Race Past Wildcats, 98-77

Evanston, Ill. - Alexis Markowski erupted for 30 points to lead four Huskers in double figures as Nebraska rolled to a 98-77 women's basketball win over Northwestern at Welsh-Ryan Arena on Sunday afternoon.

Markowski hit 13-of-19 shots from the field, while adding eight rebounds, two assists, three blocks and a steal in just over 25 minutes of work to help the Huskers close the regular season 19-10 overall and 10-8 in the Big Ten.

Markowski scored Nebraska's first four points of the fourth quarter before exiting early, as the Huskers got contributions up and down the lineup in a terrific team effort for their second win in the last three contests to end the regular season.

Alberte Rimdal contributed 17 points off the bench, including 5-of-6 three-pointers, while freshman point guard Britt Prince returned to the lineup after missing the last two games with a lower leg injury. Prince finished with 15 points, four rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block for the Big Red.

Jessica Petrie rounded out the four Huskers in double figures with 11 points, eight rebounds and a career-high seven assists from her power forward position. Petra Bozan pitched in nine points and six rebounds, while Amiah Hargrove and Kendall Coley each contributed five points from their forward spots as the Huskers dominated up and down the lineup inside.

As a team, Nebraska hit 37-of-70 shots (.529), including 10-of-22 threes (.455), while connecting on 14-of-18 free throws. The Huskers also won the battle of the boards, 43-31.

Northwestern countered with four players in double digits as well, including 22 points inside from Caleigh Walsh, while Melannie Daley added 15 points and six assists. Taylor Williams and Caroline Lau each added 11 points for the Wildcats, who ended their season with a 9-18 overall record, including a 2-16 Big Ten mark.

Northwestern hit 27-of-64 shots (.422), but just 2-of-7 threes (.286), while going 21-of-28 at the free throw line. The Cats won the turnover battle, 11-9.

In one of Nebraska's biggest first halves of the season, the Huskers ran to a 55-38 halftime lead behind 18 points from Markowski, who scored 16 in the first quarter alone. Markowski powered the Big Red to its highest scoring output in any first quarter this season on its way to a 31-18 lead.

Rimdal added 11 first-half points, including a trio of three-pointers. Rimdal, who hit all three of her first-half attempts from long range, helped the Huskers connect on 7-of-11 first-half three-pointers. Overall, Nebraska hit 19-of-31 shots (.613) and 10-of-13 free throws (.769) in the half.

Nebraska built its largest first-half lead at 55-32 after five straight points from Hargrove, including the Huskers' final three-pointer of the half with 2:06 left, before the Wildcats closed the half on a 6-0 run over the final two minutes.

Prince contributed eight points and five assists in the half, while Petrie pitched in seven points and four rebounds while connecting on a pair of second-quarter three quarters.

Walsh led Northwestern with 12 points in the opening 20 minutes, while Williams and Lau each added seven points for the Wildcats. Northwestern hit 14-of-34 shots (.412), including 2-of-3 threes, and 8-of-13 free throws. 

Nebraska controlled the glass, 20-14, in the first half, while Northwestern held a 5-3 edge in turnovers.

The Huskers built their lead to 24 points at 73-49 with 1:30 left in the third quarter, before the Wildcats scored the final six points of the period. Nebraska took its 73-55 lead to the fourth, before Northwestern trimmed the margin to 75-61 with 8:32 left.

Nebraska's offense then exploded for 13 points over the next three minutes, as six different Huskers found the scoring column in the surge to extend the margin to 88-65 with five minutes left. The Huskers took their biggest lead of the afternoon at 92-67 on a Bozan bucket with 3:25 left before recording the 21-point win.

Nebraska will be back in action at the Big Ten Tournament this week at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Live video streams for first-round games on Wednesday, March 5 will be provided by Peacock.