Noyan Powers Huskers Past Wayne State
Lincoln - Edessa Noyan erupted for game highs of 20 points and nine rebounds in just 17 minutes to help the Nebraska women's basketball team to a 90-41 exhibition victory over Wayne State College at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Friday night.
Noyan, a 6-3 forward, hit 8-of-10 shots from the field and 4-of-5 free throws while adding a block and a steal in her Husker debut. The senior from Botkyrka, Sweden scored nine points off the bench in the first quarter to help the Big Red to a 27-7 lead over the NCAA Division II Wildcats.
The Indiana transfer added six straight points early in the third quarter and back-to-back buckets midway through the fourth to push Nebraska's margin to 75-35 with 5:35 left.
Preseason All-Big Ten guard Britt Prince added 15 points, four assists and three steals in a solid effort, while Natalie Potts returned to Nebraska's starting lineup for the first time in almost two years with 12 points, three rebounds and four steals in just over 17 minutes of action. The 2024 Big Ten Freshman of the Year hit 5-of-7 shots from the field and both of her free throws while being a menace defensively all over the floor.
Allison Weidner also returned to Nebraska's starting five for the first time in 21 months with six points, five rebounds and three assists in a strong performance.
Returning starter Amiah Hargrove and freshman Ashlyn Koupal rounded out the Husker starters with seven points apiece.
All 11 available Huskers scored at least two points and grabbed at least two rebounds in the game, including six points each from Kennadi Williams and freshman Ava Miles. Williams also led the Huskers with five assists.
Freshman Maddi Stewart pitched in five points. Emily Fisher contributed four points and five rebounds. Arek Angui added two points, two rebounds and two blocked shots as the Huskers won their 40th consecutive exhibition game dating back to 2000.
For the game, Nebraska hit 33-of-70 shots (.471), but just 4-of-19 three-pointers (.211), while sinking 20-of-29 free throws (.690). The Big Red dominated the glass, 51-28, including 22 offensive rebounds. The Huskers also forced 26 Wildcat turnovers while committing just 10 of their own.
Nebraska held Wayne State to just 25 percent (11-44) shooting, including 3-of-14 threes, while the Cats hit 16-of-23 free throws (.696).
Senior forward Brooklyn Kruse led Wayne State with 13 points, while Lincoln Southwest High School graduate Eleanor Griffin added eight points including a pair of three-pointers. Abby Aslesen contributed seven points and a team-high five rebounds.
Nebraska opens its regular season against San Jose State on Monday, Nov. 2. Tip-off with the Spartans is set for noon (CT) following the Sizemore Sportsmanship Pep Rally, which begins at 9:30 a.m. Tickets to the game are available now at Huskers.
The game will be televised statewide by Nebraska Public Media and available to subscribers of B1G+. It also can be heard across the Huskers Radio Network, including Huskers.com and the Huskers App.