Story by NU Athletic Communications

The Nebraska volleyball program announced its top-ranked recruiting class according to PrepVolleyball.com on National Letter of Intent Signing Day on Wednesday.&nbsp; Head Coach&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/coaches/john-cook/8418" target="_blank">John Cook</a>&nbsp;and the Huskers secured the signings of five prospects, all ranked in the top 13 nationally by PrepVolleyball.com. The 2023 signing class includes outside hitter Harper Murray (No. 2 overall), setter Bergen Reilly (No. 4 overall), libero Laney Choboy (No. 5 overall), opposite hitter Caroline Jurevicius (No. 7 overall) and middle blocker Andi Jackson (No. 13 overall).&nbsp; Led by assistant coach and recruiting coordinator&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/coaches/jaylen-reyes/8419" target="_blank">Jaylen Reyes</a>, the Huskers have now signed the No. 1 class twice in the last three years, and they had the second-ranked class last year.&nbsp; "The class of 2023 is a special class," Cook said. "We fill our needs at every position, and they all have very high-level international experience representing the USA. The bonds they formed on those teams have run deep and they all plan to start school in January. All five of them are also exceptional students. We have been inspired being around them as they have big goals and they 'Dream Big'. This group of athletes are super competitive, fun to watch, and they will raise the level of our gym. I want to thank&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/coaches/kelly-hunter/8420" target="_blank">Kelly Hunter</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/coaches/jaylen-reyes/8419" target="_blank">Jaylen Reyes</a>&nbsp;for their hard work on this class, along with all the people at Nebraska who work with our program. This is why we say, 'There is No Place Like Nebraska!'" All five signees will enroll at Nebraska in January, and all five have been chosen to play in the 2022 Under Armour All-America Game.&nbsp;The signing class already has experience playing with each other and with current Huskers. Choboy, Jackson, Murray and Reilly all played on the U.S. Girls U19 Team that won gold at the Pan American Cup this summer in Tulsa, Okla. Reilly was the tournament MVP and Best Setter, while Murray was the Best Spiker and Choboy was the Best Receiver. Nebraska freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/maggie-mendelson/43962" target="_blank">Maggie Mendelson</a>&nbsp;was also on the team, giving the Huskers five of the 13 roster spots.&nbsp; In 2021, Choboy, Jurevicius, Murray and Reilly joined Mendelson and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/bekka-allick/43951" target="_blank">Bekka Allick</a>&nbsp;on the U.S. Girls U18 Team that took home the bronze medal from the FIVB World Championships in Mexico.&nbsp; 2023 Nebraska Volleyball Signing Class Laney Choboy, 5-3, Libero, Raleigh, N.C. (Leesville Road) • Ranked No. 5 overall and the No. 1 libero by PrepVolleyball.com • Won gold with the U.S. Girls U19 Team at the 2022 Pan American Cup and was named the Best Receiver at the tournament • Competed on the U.S. Girls U18 Team at the 2021 FIVB World Championships, earning the bronze medal • Selected to play in the 2022 Under Armour All-America Game&nbsp; • Attends&nbsp;Leesville Road High School in Raleigh, N.C. • Playing as a hitter for her high school team, averaging a team-best 3.6 kills per set and&nbsp;4.3 digs per set as a senior in 2022 • Plays club volleyball for NC VB Academy and was a three-time club MVP Cook Quote "Laney was a very recent addition to our class, but she's a very important addition. All of our best teams the last eight years have had two great liberos on our roster.&nbsp;As a top-five recruit and the No. 1 libero in this class, once Laney decided to re-open her recruiting, we jumped at the chance to get her to Lincoln. She has played with the rest of her classmates the past couple summers on the U.S. Under 18 and 19 Teams as the starting libero. As a solid serve receiver and an elite defender, Laney will come in and compete for a spot on the court. Her competitiveness and work ethic will be contagious to the rest of our team." Caroline Jurevicius, 6-2, Opposite Hitter, Chardon, Ohio (Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin) • Ranked No. 7 overall and the No. 1 opposite hitter by PrepVolleyball.com • Competed on the U.S. Girls U18 Team at the 2021 FIVB World Championships, earning the bronze medal • Selected to play in the 2022 Under Armour All-America Game&nbsp; • Attends&nbsp;Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin High School in Chardon, Ohio • Averaging 4.7 kills per set with a .350 hitting percentage as a senior in 2022, along with 157 digs, 31 blocks and 26 service aces • Led Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin to the Ohio DII state championship match as a sophomore in 2020 • Plays club volleyball for AVC • Father is Joe Jurevicius, who was a Super Bowl champion wide receiver with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002&nbsp; Cook Quote "Caroline is one of the best opposites in this class. In recruiting, finding a player who can play opposite at an international level can be difficult. Caroline played on the U.S. Under 18 Team that went to the World Championships in 2021, so she brings invaluable international experience as well. Having a mom who was a college track star and a father who played in the NFL, CJ has the physicality to be an international level opposite, and we are excited that she chose to be a Husker so we can help her achieve her goals. She brings a physicality that will instantly raise the level of our program and we expect her to push to play once she gets to Lincoln." Andi Jackson, 6-3, Middle Blocker, Brighton, Colo. (Brighton) • Ranked No. 13 overall and the No. 3 middle blocker by PrepVolleyball.com • Won gold with the U.S. Girls U19 Team at the 2022 Pan American Cup • Selected to play in the 2022 Under Armour All-America Game&nbsp; • Attends Brighton High School in Brighton, Colo.&nbsp; • As a senior in 2022, averaging 3.4 kills per set with a .382 hitting percentage • Leading the Bulldogs&nbsp;with 63 service aces and 194 digs • Played club volleyball for The Diff&nbsp; • A standout athlete, qualified for the USATF National Championships in the long jump at age 10 Cook Quote "Andi comes from a family of elite athletes. Her mom was a high jumper and her dad played hockey in Alaska where she was born. Andi is a once-in-a-decade type of athlete and has only gotten more and more physical the older she's gotten. She played outside hitter for both her club and high school teams but has spent time as a middle blocker with the U.S. Under 19 Team this summer. We discovered Andi when Christina Houghtelling sent me a video of her as she was giving her lessons and told me she could be a special player for Nebraska, but we would have to work to get her. What is so interesting is she reminds me a lot of Christina and has tons of potential for development just like Christina did. Andi is a fun player who works hard and does it all with a smile. We&nbsp;expect her to come in and make a big impact on our team from day one and compete hard for playing time." Harper Murray, 6-2, Outside Hitter, Ann Arbor, Mich. (Skyline) • Ranked No. 2 overall and the No. 2 outside hitter by PrepVolleyball.com • Won gold with the U.S. Girls U19 Team at the 2022 Pan American Cup and received the Best Spiker award at the tournament • Had 13 kills and two blocks in the 3-0 win over Brazil in the championship match&nbsp; • Competed on the U.S. Girls U18 Team at the 2021 FIVB World Championships, earning the bronze medal • Selected to play in the 2022 Under Armour All-America Game&nbsp; • Attends Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Mich. • As a senior in 2022, averaging 6.0 kills per set with a .410 hitting percentage&nbsp; • Leading the Eagles with 73 aces and 372 digs • Older sister, Kendall Murray, is a junior outside hitter at Michigan&nbsp; • Plays&nbsp;club volleyball for Legacy • Won the AAU U16 National Championship with Legacy in 2021 Cook Quote "We have recruited Harper for a very long time, going back to when she was 13 years old. From a young age she has been one of the top six-rotation outside hitters in this class. Coming from a Big Ten family (her late father, Vada, played football at Michigan and her&nbsp;sister currently plays volleyball at Michigan), she understands and thrives in a space where there are high expectations. Harper has played on the U.S. Under 18 and Under 19 Teams the past couple of summers, so she is coming to Lincoln with some valuable international experience. We expect Harper to come in right away and push to be a six-rotation outside hitter from the day she steps on campus." Bergen Reilly, 6-1, Setter, Sioux Falls, S.D. (O'Gorman) • Ranked No. 4 overall and the No. 1 setter by PrepVolleyball.com • Won gold with the U.S. Girls U19 Team at the 2022 Pan American Cup and was named MVP and Best Setter of the tournament • Competed on the U.S. Girls U18 Team at the 2021 FIVB World Championships, earning the bronze medal • Was called up to the U.S. Women's National Team in September of 2022 for the Pan Am Final Six and appeared in 11 sets and made two starts to help the Americans earn the silver medal • Selected to play in the 2022 Under Armour All-America Game&nbsp; • Attends&nbsp;O'Gorman High School in Sioux Falls, S.D. • Is a two-time South Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year after leading O'Gorman to back-to-back Class AA state championships in 2020 and 2021 • As a senior outside hitter for the Knights, leads the team with 4.6 kills per set with a .307 hitting percentage, as well as 55 service aces and 258 digs • Plays&nbsp;club volleyball for Kairos&nbsp; Cook Quote "Bergen is from Sioux Falls and is the top-ranked setter in this class. She has a ton of high-level experience playing on the U.S. Under 18 and 19 Teams, where she won Best Setter and Tournament MVP at the Pan Am Cup this summer. She also got to compete with the U.S. National Team in the Dominican Republic, which is extremely rare for a high school player to be called up to the senior national team. Not only is Bergen a phenomenal technical setter, but what sets her apart is her demeanor on the court. She has a very calm presence and is a great leader. The setter position requires a lot of intangible skills, and we can see those in Bergen. We expect her to be the leader and glue of our 2023 class and to fight for the starting setter position next fall."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsThe Nebraska volleyball program announced its top-ranked recruiting class according to PrepVolleyball.com on National Letter of Intent Signing Day on Wednesday.&nbsp; Head Coach&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/coaches/john-cook/8418" target="_blank">John Cook</a>&nbsp;and the Huskers secured the signings of five prospects, all ranked in the top 13 nationally by PrepVolleyball.com. The 2023 signing class includes outside hitter Harper Murray (No. 2 overall), setter Bergen Reilly (No. 4 overall), libero Laney Choboy (No. 5 overall), opposite hitter Caroline Jurevicius (No. 7 overall) and middle blocker Andi Jackson (No. 13 overall).&nbsp; Led by assistant coach and recruiting coordinator&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/coaches/jaylen-reyes/8419" target="_blank">Jaylen Reyes</a>, the Huskers have now signed the No. 1 class twice in the last three years, and they had the second-ranked class last year.&nbsp; "The class of 2023 is a special class," Cook said. "We fill our needs at every position, and they all have very high-level international experience representing the USA. The bonds they formed on those teams have run deep and they all plan to start school in January. All five of them are also exceptional students. We have been inspired being around them as they have big goals and they 'Dream Big'. This group of athletes are super competitive, fun to watch, and they will raise the level of our gym. I want to thank&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/coaches/kelly-hunter/8420" target="_blank">Kelly Hunter</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/coaches/jaylen-reyes/8419" target="_blank">Jaylen Reyes</a>&nbsp;for their hard work on this class, along with all the people at Nebraska who work with our program. This is why we say, 'There is No Place Like Nebraska!'" All five signees will enroll at Nebraska in January, and all five have been chosen to play in the 2022 Under Armour All-America Game.&nbsp;The signing class already has experience playing with each other and with current Huskers. Choboy, Jackson, Murray and Reilly all played on the U.S. Girls U19 Team that won gold at the Pan American Cup this summer in Tulsa, Okla. Reilly was the tournament MVP and Best Setter, while Murray was the Best Spiker and Choboy was the Best Receiver. Nebraska freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/maggie-mendelson/43962" target="_blank">Maggie Mendelson</a>&nbsp;was also on the team, giving the Huskers five of the 13 roster spots.&nbsp; In 2021, Choboy, Jurevicius, Murray and Reilly joined Mendelson and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/bekka-allick/43951" target="_blank">Bekka Allick</a>&nbsp;on the U.S. Girls U18 Team that took home the bronze medal from the FIVB World Championships in Mexico.&nbsp; 2023 Nebraska Volleyball Signing Class Laney Choboy, 5-3, Libero, Raleigh, N.C. (Leesville Road) • Ranked No. 5 overall and the No. 1 libero by PrepVolleyball.com • Won gold with the U.S. Girls U19 Team at the 2022 Pan American Cup and was named the Best Receiver at the tournament • Competed on the U.S. Girls U18 Team at the 2021 FIVB World Championships, earning the bronze medal • Selected to play in the 2022 Under Armour All-America Game&nbsp; • Attends&nbsp;Leesville Road High School in Raleigh, N.C. • Playing as a hitter for her high school team, averaging a team-best 3.6 kills per set and&nbsp;4.3 digs per set as a senior in 2022 • Plays club volleyball for NC VB Academy and was a three-time club MVP Cook Quote "Laney was a very recent addition to our class, but she's a very important addition. All of our best teams the last eight years have had two great liberos on our roster.&nbsp;As a top-five recruit and the No. 1 libero in this class, once Laney decided to re-open her recruiting, we jumped at the chance to get her to Lincoln. She has played with the rest of her classmates the past couple summers on the U.S. Under 18 and 19 Teams as the starting libero. As a solid serve receiver and an elite defender, Laney will come in and compete for a spot on the court. Her competitiveness and work ethic will be contagious to the rest of our team." Caroline Jurevicius, 6-2, Opposite Hitter, Chardon, Ohio (Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin) • Ranked No. 7 overall and the No. 1 opposite hitter by PrepVolleyball.com • Competed on the U.S. Girls U18 Team at the 2021 FIVB World Championships, earning the bronze medal • Selected to play in the 2022 Under Armour All-America Game&nbsp; • Attends&nbsp;Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin High School in Chardon, Ohio • Averaging 4.7 kills per set with a .350 hitting percentage as a senior in 2022, along with 157 digs, 31 blocks and 26 service aces • Led Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin to the Ohio DII state championship match as a sophomore in 2020 • Plays club volleyball for AVC • Father is Joe Jurevicius, who was a Super Bowl champion wide receiver with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002&nbsp; Cook Quote "Caroline is one of the best opposites in this class. In recruiting, finding a player who can play opposite at an international level can be difficult. Caroline played on the U.S. Under 18 Team that went to the World Championships in 2021, so she brings invaluable international experience as well. Having a mom who was a college track star and a father who played in the NFL, CJ has the physicality to be an international level opposite, and we are excited that she chose to be a Husker so we can help her achieve her goals. She brings a physicality that will instantly raise the level of our program and we expect her to push to play once she gets to Lincoln." Andi Jackson, 6-3, Middle Blocker, Brighton, Colo. (Brighton) • Ranked No. 13 overall and the No. 3 middle blocker by PrepVolleyball.com • Won gold with the U.S. Girls U19 Team at the 2022 Pan American Cup • Selected to play in the 2022 Under Armour All-America Game&nbsp; • Attends Brighton High School in Brighton, Colo.&nbsp; • As a senior in 2022, averaging 3.4 kills per set with a .382 hitting percentage • Leading the Bulldogs&nbsp;with 63 service aces and 194 digs • Played club volleyball for The Diff&nbsp; • A standout athlete, qualified for the USATF National Championships in the long jump at age 10 Cook Quote "Andi comes from a family of elite athletes. Her mom was a high jumper and her dad played hockey in Alaska where she was born. Andi is a once-in-a-decade type of athlete and has only gotten more and more physical the older she's gotten. She played outside hitter for both her club and high school teams but has spent time as a middle blocker with the U.S. Under 19 Team this summer. We discovered Andi when Christina Houghtelling sent me a video of her as she was giving her lessons and told me she could be a special player for Nebraska, but we would have to work to get her. What is so interesting is she reminds me a lot of Christina and has tons of potential for development just like Christina did. Andi is a fun player who works hard and does it all with a smile. We&nbsp;expect her to come in and make a big impact on our team from day one and compete hard for playing time." Harper Murray, 6-2, Outside Hitter, Ann Arbor, Mich. (Skyline) • Ranked No. 2 overall and the No. 2 outside hitter by PrepVolleyball.com • Won gold with the U.S. Girls U19 Team at the 2022 Pan American Cup and received the Best Spiker award at the tournament • Had 13 kills and two blocks in the 3-0 win over Brazil in the championship match&nbsp; • Competed on the U.S. Girls U18 Team at the 2021 FIVB World Championships, earning the bronze medal • Selected to play in the 2022 Under Armour All-America Game&nbsp; • Attends Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Mich. • As a senior in 2022, averaging 6.0 kills per set with a .410 hitting percentage&nbsp; • Leading the Eagles with 73 aces and 372 digs • Older sister, Kendall Murray, is a junior outside hitter at Michigan&nbsp; • Plays&nbsp;club volleyball for Legacy • Won the AAU U16 National Championship with Legacy in 2021 Cook Quote "We have recruited Harper for a very long time, going back to when she was 13 years old. From a young age she has been one of the top six-rotation outside hitters in this class. Coming from a Big Ten family (her late father, Vada, played football at Michigan and her&nbsp;sister currently plays volleyball at Michigan), she understands and thrives in a space where there are high expectations. Harper has played on the U.S. Under 18 and Under 19 Teams the past couple of summers, so she is coming to Lincoln with some valuable international experience. We expect Harper to come in right away and push to be a six-rotation outside hitter from the day she steps on campus." Bergen Reilly, 6-1, Setter, Sioux Falls, S.D. (O'Gorman) • Ranked No. 4 overall and the No. 1 setter by PrepVolleyball.com • Won gold with the U.S. Girls U19 Team at the 2022 Pan American Cup and was named MVP and Best Setter of the tournament • Competed on the U.S. Girls U18 Team at the 2021 FIVB World Championships, earning the bronze medal • Was called up to the U.S. Women's National Team in September of 2022 for the Pan Am Final Six and appeared in 11 sets and made two starts to help the Americans earn the silver medal • Selected to play in the 2022 Under Armour All-America Game&nbsp; • Attends&nbsp;O'Gorman High School in Sioux Falls, S.D. • Is a two-time South Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year after leading O'Gorman to back-to-back Class AA state championships in 2020 and 2021 • As a senior outside hitter for the Knights, leads the team with 4.6 kills per set with a .307 hitting percentage, as well as 55 service aces and 258 digs • Plays&nbsp;club volleyball for Kairos&nbsp; Cook Quote "Bergen is from Sioux Falls and is the top-ranked setter in this class. She has a ton of high-level experience playing on the U.S. Under 18 and 19 Teams, where she won Best Setter and Tournament MVP at the Pan Am Cup this summer. She also got to compete with the U.S. National Team in the Dominican Republic, which is extremely rare for a high school player to be called up to the senior national team. Not only is Bergen a phenomenal technical setter, but what sets her apart is her demeanor on the court. She has a very calm presence and is a great leader. The setter position requires a lot of intangible skills, and we can see those in Bergen. We expect her to be the leader and glue of our 2023 class and to fight for the starting setter position next fall."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Huskers sign Top-Ranked Volleyball Class

NSAA State Coaches of the Year

<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/isabelle-bourne/43966">Isabelle Bourne</a>&nbsp;led five Huskers in double figures with 21 points as Nebraska rolled to the largest season-opening victory margin in school history with a 100-36 women's basketball win over Omaha on Monday. Playing in front of the second-largest season-opening crowd in Husker women's basketball history with 6,233 on hand at Pinnacle Bank Arena, Nebraska buried 14 three-pointers with all 10 active Huskers sinking at least one long-range shot in the game. While the Huskers got 42 points from beyond the arc, they also got 50 points in the paint. Bourne, a 6-2 junior from Canberra, Australia, went 10-for-15 from the field, including Nebraska's second three-pointer of the game to cap a 12-0 game-opening scoring run. Bourne added a game-high-tying nine rebounds to help lead the Big Red inside. She scored 11 of NU's first 16 points to open the contest. Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/allison-weidner/43971">Allison Weidner</a>&nbsp;added 19 points and a career-high nine rebounds of her own. The 5-10 guard from Humphrey, Neb., hit 9-of-11 shots from the field including 1-of-2 threes, while adding three assists and a steal. Another native Nebraskan,&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/maddie-krull/43965">Maddie Krull</a>, pitched in 18 points, including a game-high four three-pointers in her Husker debut. The 5-9 sophomore guard out of Millard South High School in Omaha, hit 7-of-9 shots from the field overall, including the final three-pointer of the game to push the Huskers to the century mark. Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/alexis-markowski/43975">Alexis Markowski</a>&nbsp;produced a strong game with 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting while adding eight rebounds, while fellow sophomore point&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/annika-stewart/43974">Annika Stewart</a>&nbsp;added 10 points and seven boards for the Big Red. Junior guard&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jaz-shelley/43970">Jaz Shelley</a>, who hit Nebraska's first three-pointer of the game just 2:45 into the contest to put Nebraska up 9-0, finished with just five points, but added game highs of 10 assists and four steals. <a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/kendall-coley/43968">Kendall Coley</a>&nbsp;also contributed five points, including a buzzer-beating three-pointer that put Nebraska up 28-11 at the end of the first quarter. After opening the game with a 12-0 run, the Huskers closed the first half with an 11-0 run to take a 44-17 lead into the locker room at halftime. The Huskers stormed out of the locker room with a school-record-tying 33-point third quarter to take a 77-26 margin to the final period, before outscoring the Mavs&nbsp;23-10 in the fourth, including back-to-back threes from freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/callin-hake/43710">Callin Hake</a>&nbsp;and Krull to cap the scoring. For the game, Nebraska hit 56.6 percent (43-76) of its shots&nbsp;from the field, including 14-of-34 threes (.412). However, the Huskers did not attempt a free throw in the 30th 100-point scoring game in school history. The Big Red won the rebounding battle, 49-29, and the turnover battle, 19-7. It was the first time in NU history that they reached 100 points without attempting a free throw. Elena Pilakouta led the Mavericks with 10 points and eight rebounds, while Grace Cave contributed six points. The Huskers held&nbsp;Omaha to 21.2 percent (11-52) shooting from the field, including just 17.6 percent (3-17) from long range.&nbsp; The performance followed the Nebraska Life Skills Sportsmanship Rally. More than 2,500 middle grades&nbsp;students and staff members heard inspirational and educational messages from Coach&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/amy-williams/8362">Amy Williams</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jaz-shelley/43970">Jaz Shelley</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/maddie-krull/43965">Maddie Krull</a>, along with volleyball players Ally Batenhorst and Alexis Rodriguez, softball players Ava Bredwell and Mckinley Malecha, track and field athletes Passmore Mudundulu and Mikey Hoffer,&nbsp;and football player Travis Vokolek. The students also enjoyed multiple performances by Champions Spintacular. Nebraska returns to action at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Friday, when the Huskers play host to Houston Christian. Tip time is set for 8 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Story by NU Athletic Communications<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/isabelle-bourne/43966">Isabelle Bourne</a>&nbsp;led five Huskers in double figures with 21 points as Nebraska rolled to the largest season-opening victory margin in school history with a 100-36 women's basketball win over Omaha on Monday. Playing in front of the second-largest season-opening crowd in Husker women's basketball history with 6,233 on hand at Pinnacle Bank Arena, Nebraska buried 14 three-pointers with all 10 active Huskers sinking at least one long-range shot in the game. While the Huskers got 42 points from beyond the arc, they also got 50 points in the paint. Bourne, a 6-2 junior from Canberra, Australia, went 10-for-15 from the field, including Nebraska's second three-pointer of the game to cap a 12-0 game-opening scoring run. Bourne added a game-high-tying nine rebounds to help lead the Big Red inside. She scored 11 of NU's first 16 points to open the contest. Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/allison-weidner/43971">Allison Weidner</a>&nbsp;added 19 points and a career-high nine rebounds of her own. The 5-10 guard from Humphrey, Neb., hit 9-of-11 shots from the field including 1-of-2 threes, while adding three assists and a steal. Another native Nebraskan,&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/maddie-krull/43965">Maddie Krull</a>, pitched in 18 points, including a game-high four three-pointers in her Husker debut. The 5-9 sophomore guard out of Millard South High School in Omaha, hit 7-of-9 shots from the field overall, including the final three-pointer of the game to push the Huskers to the century mark. Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/alexis-markowski/43975">Alexis Markowski</a>&nbsp;produced a strong game with 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting while adding eight rebounds, while fellow sophomore point&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/annika-stewart/43974">Annika Stewart</a>&nbsp;added 10 points and seven boards for the Big Red. Junior guard&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jaz-shelley/43970">Jaz Shelley</a>, who hit Nebraska's first three-pointer of the game just 2:45 into the contest to put Nebraska up 9-0, finished with just five points, but added game highs of 10 assists and four steals. <a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/kendall-coley/43968">Kendall Coley</a>&nbsp;also contributed five points, including a buzzer-beating three-pointer that put Nebraska up 28-11 at the end of the first quarter. After opening the game with a 12-0 run, the Huskers closed the first half with an 11-0 run to take a 44-17 lead into the locker room at halftime. The Huskers stormed out of the locker room with a school-record-tying 33-point third quarter to take a 77-26 margin to the final period, before outscoring the Mavs&nbsp;23-10 in the fourth, including back-to-back threes from freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/callin-hake/43710">Callin Hake</a>&nbsp;and Krull to cap the scoring. For the game, Nebraska hit 56.6 percent (43-76) of its shots&nbsp;from the field, including 14-of-34 threes (.412). However, the Huskers did not attempt a free throw in the 30th 100-point scoring game in school history. The Big Red won the rebounding battle, 49-29, and the turnover battle, 19-7. It was the first time in NU history that they reached 100 points without attempting a free throw. Elena Pilakouta led the Mavericks with 10 points and eight rebounds, while Grace Cave contributed six points. The Huskers held&nbsp;Omaha to 21.2 percent (11-52) shooting from the field, including just 17.6 percent (3-17) from long range.&nbsp; The performance followed the Nebraska Life Skills Sportsmanship Rally. More than 2,500 middle grades&nbsp;students and staff members heard inspirational and educational messages from Coach&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/amy-williams/8362">Amy Williams</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jaz-shelley/43970">Jaz Shelley</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/maddie-krull/43965">Maddie Krull</a>, along with volleyball players Ally Batenhorst and Alexis Rodriguez, softball players Ava Bredwell and Mckinley Malecha, track and field athletes Passmore Mudundulu and Mikey Hoffer,&nbsp;and football player Travis Vokolek. The students also enjoyed multiple performances by Champions Spintacular. Nebraska returns to action at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Friday, when the Huskers play host to Houston Christian. Tip time is set for 8 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Huskers blow by Omaha

<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/sam-griesel/44062">Sam Griesel's</a>&nbsp;22 points led three Huskers in double figures, as Nebraska used a decisive second-half run to put away Maine, 79-66, in the season opener at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Griesel scored 18 of his 22 points in the second half in his Husker debut, finishing with 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting and nine rebounds. &nbsp; <a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/juwan-gary/44063">Juwan Gary</a>&nbsp;pitched in a double-double with 14 points and a career-high 11 rebounds, including eight offensive boards, while&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/keisei-tominaga/44059">Keisei Tominaga</a>&nbsp;had 19 points off the bench, including 10 during a two-minute first half surge. Nebraska, which built a 40-28 lead at the break, saw Maine pull to within 54-53 after a 3-pointer from Gedi Jouzapaitis with 13:00 left. That would be as close as it got, as&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/emmanuel-bandoumel/44064">Emmanuel Bandoumel's</a>&nbsp;basket started a 14-1 Husker run, while Griesel and Tominaga combined for nine of the Huskers' points in the run building a 68-54 lead with 8:35 left. The Huskers clamped down on the defensive end as Maine missed eight straight shots and was 2-of-16 in a nearly 10-minute stretch after opening the half by hitting 10 of its first 12 shots after halftime. Juozapaitis led the Black Bears with 20 points, including 6-of-7 from 3-point range, while Kristians Feierbergs added 16 points and six rebounds in the loss. Nebraska jumped out to a blistering start, scoring the first nine points of the contest. Gary, scored six points in the first 3:04 of the contest, including a trio off offensive boards. The Huskers eventually built a 13-2 lead in the first 6:23 of the before Maine settled in. The Black Beats pulled to within 28-21 on a Juozapaitis 3-pointer before Tominaga and Griesel combined for seven straight points to push the lead back to 14. Tominaga scored NU's final 10 points of the half, including a 3-pointer that made it 40-25 with 2:24 left in the half. The Huskers return to action on Thursday, Nov. 10, as Nebraska hosts Omaha at 7 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Story by NU Athletic Communications<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/sam-griesel/44062">Sam Griesel's</a>&nbsp;22 points led three Huskers in double figures, as Nebraska used a decisive second-half run to put away Maine, 79-66, in the season opener at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Griesel scored 18 of his 22 points in the second half in his Husker debut, finishing with 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting and nine rebounds. &nbsp; <a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/juwan-gary/44063">Juwan Gary</a>&nbsp;pitched in a double-double with 14 points and a career-high 11 rebounds, including eight offensive boards, while&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/keisei-tominaga/44059">Keisei Tominaga</a>&nbsp;had 19 points off the bench, including 10 during a two-minute first half surge. Nebraska, which built a 40-28 lead at the break, saw Maine pull to within 54-53 after a 3-pointer from Gedi Jouzapaitis with 13:00 left. That would be as close as it got, as&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/emmanuel-bandoumel/44064">Emmanuel Bandoumel's</a>&nbsp;basket started a 14-1 Husker run, while Griesel and Tominaga combined for nine of the Huskers' points in the run building a 68-54 lead with 8:35 left. The Huskers clamped down on the defensive end as Maine missed eight straight shots and was 2-of-16 in a nearly 10-minute stretch after opening the half by hitting 10 of its first 12 shots after halftime. Juozapaitis led the Black Bears with 20 points, including 6-of-7 from 3-point range, while Kristians Feierbergs added 16 points and six rebounds in the loss. Nebraska jumped out to a blistering start, scoring the first nine points of the contest. Gary, scored six points in the first 3:04 of the contest, including a trio off offensive boards. The Huskers eventually built a 13-2 lead in the first 6:23 of the before Maine settled in. The Black Beats pulled to within 28-21 on a Juozapaitis 3-pointer before Tominaga and Griesel combined for seven straight points to push the lead back to 14. Tominaga scored NU's final 10 points of the half, including a 3-pointer that made it 40-25 with 2:24 left in the half. The Huskers return to action on Thursday, Nov. 10, as Nebraska hosts Omaha at 7 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Huskers Post 79-66 win in opener

By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Baseball Writer

HOUSTON (AP) — Yordan Alvarez hit a towering three-run homer and the Houston Astros clinched their second World Series title in six seasons with a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6. That also gave 73-year-old manager Dusty Baker his first title in 25 seasons as a manager, the last three in Houston. This was Houston's second championship. The Astros also won in 2017, a title tarnished by their sign-stealing scandal. Alvarez's home run in the sixth inning put Houston ahead 3-1. Astros rookie shortstop Jeremy Peña was the World Series MVP. The 25-year-old star born in the Dominican Republic also was MVP of the AL Championship Series. Houston starter Framer Valdez won his second game in this World Series.

HOUSTON (AP) — Yordan Alvarez hit a moon shot that sent Space City into a frenzy, and the Houston Astros to their second World Series title.

While the stain on Houston's first championship might never completely fade, Alvarez's majestic three-run homer helped fashion a fresh crown for the Astros -- and the first for Dusty Baker as manager -- in a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6 on Saturday night.

"What happened before, it doesn't ever pass over completely," said Baker, the veteran manager hired by the Astros in the wake of their sign-stealing scandal. "But we have turned the page and hopefully we'll continue this run."

Alvarez blasted a ball over the 40-foot batter's eye in center field during the sixth inning immediately after Phillies starter Zack Wheeler was pulled with a 1-0 lead.

As Alvarez's 450-foot shot sailed, Astros starter Framber Valdez jumped and wildly screamed in the dugout while the crowd of 42,958 went crazy waving orange rally towels.

"When I was rounding second base, I felt the whole stadium moving," Alvarez said through a translator.

The 73-year-old Baker finally got his first title in his 25th season as a manager. He's spent the past three with the Astros after they hired him to help the team regain credibility after their trash can banging scheme cost manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow their jobs, and made Houston the most reviled team in baseball.

"I wasn't here in 2017, but it's definitely a weight off of everybody's shoulders. Ain't nobody can say (anything) now," said closer Ryan Pressly, who finished the Series with another scoreless inning.

Baker, who won a World Series as a player with the Los Angeles Dodgers and had been to the Fall Classic twice before as a skipper, is the oldest championship manager in any of the four major North American sports. The win came 20 years after a near-miss, when he came within five outs of taking the title while guiding the San Francisco Giants.

"What's next? I said if I win one, I want to win two," Baker said afterward.

Houston's coaching and training staffs circled around Baker after Nick Castellanos flied out to end it, jumping up and down, and chanting "Dusty! Dusty! Dusty!" in the dugout before they joined the players on the field.

Astros rookie shortstop Jeremy Peña was the World Series MVP after getting another key hit, a single to set up Alvarez's homer.

The 25-year-old star born in the Dominican Republic also won a Gold Glove award and AL Championship Series MVP — Peña is the first hitter to win those three awards in a career, and he did it all in his first season, per OptaSTATS.

Jerseys worn by Peña and Baker during the Series were headed to the Hall of Fame.

A year after watching the Atlanta Braves clinch the World Series title at Minute Maid Park, Justin Verlander and the Astros went 11-2 in the postseason and became the first team to seal the championship at home since the 2013 Boston Red Sox.

Alvarez homered for the first time since going deep in the first two games this postseason. Christian Vázquez added an RBI single later in the inning to make it 4-1.

Valdez earned his second win of this Series. He had been in the dugout only a few minutes after throwing his 93rd and final pitch while striking out nine over six innings.

But the lefty had walked off the mound with the wild-card Phillies up 1-0 on Kyle Schwarber's homer leading off the sixth.

Schwarber, who hit his third homer in the past four games, rounded the bases waving his raised empty hand in the same motion as the fans with their towels.

But by the time Schwarber batted in the eighth, the NL's home run leader was reduced to bunting, trying for a hit to stir a dormant Phillies offense. His bunt went foul with two strikes, resulting in a strikeout.

In the sixth, Houston got two runners on base against Wheeler for the first time in the game, when Martín Maldonado was hit by a pitch, Jose Altuve grounded into a forceout and Peña singled.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson went to left-handed reliever José Alvarado to face the lefty slugger for the fourth time in the series — Alvarez had popped out twice and been hit by a pitch the first three times.

"I thought Wheels still had really good stuff. It wasn't about that. It was just I thought the matchup was better with Alvarado on Alvarez at that time," Thomson said.

And Alvarado had allowed only three homers to lefty hitters in his six big league seasons, until his 2-1 pitch, when Alvarez crushed the 99 mph sinker.

"It's kind of a dirty inning and I thought, I mean, going into the series it was always kind of Alvarado on Alvarez," Thomson said. "It was the sixth inning and I felt like the normal back end of the bullpen guys could get through it."

Alvarez hadn't homered since Game 2 of the AL Division Series against Seattle, when his two-run shot in the sixth inning put them up to stay. That came after his game-ending, three-run shot in Game 1 for an 8-7 win.

Houston won an American League-best 106 games and reached its fourth World Series during a span in which it made it to the AL Championship Series six seasons in a row. The Astros made their only other World Series appearance in 2005, while still in the National League, and were swept in four games by the Chicago White Sox.

This was their third ALCS and second consecutive World Series since former Astros pitcher Mike Fiers revealed after the 2019 season, when he had gone from Houston for two years since being part of their 2017 championship, that the team had used a camera in center field to steal signs and signal hitters on which pitches to expect by banging on a garbage can.

"That will probably never go away but I think this just proves how good this team is and how good it's been for a long time," Astros owner Jim Crane said on the field afterward.

Philadelphia was 22-29 when Joe Girardi was fired in early June and replaced by bench coach Thomson, the 59-year-old baseball lifer getting his first chance a big league manager — he was on the Yankees big league staff for 10 seasons with Girardi, and was part of their last World Series and title in 2009.

The Phillies finished the regular season 65-46 under Thomson, their 87 wins good for the sixth and final spot in the NL playoffs, on the way to their first World Series since 2009.

Phillies: In less than five months, the Phillies will be back in Texas to begin their 2023 regular season, about 250 miles away for the opener of an interleague series March 30 against the Texas Rangers.

Astros: Whether or not Baker and/or general manager James Click are back — neither is signed past this season — the World Series champs will play their 2023 season opener at home March 30 against the Chicago White Sox.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667732796466.jpeg" alt="The Houston Astros celebrate their 4-1 World Series win against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6 on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)" />
 <figcaption>The Houston Astros celebrate their 4-1 World Series win against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6 on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)</figcaption>
 </figure>By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Baseball WriterHOUSTON (AP) — Yordan Alvarez hit a towering three-run homer and the Houston Astros clinched their second World Series title in six seasons with a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6. That also gave 73-year-old manager Dusty Baker his first title in 25 seasons as a manager, the last three in Houston. This was Houston's second championship. The Astros also won in 2017, a title tarnished by their sign-stealing scandal. Alvarez's home run in the sixth inning put Houston ahead 3-1. Astros rookie shortstop Jeremy Peña was the World Series MVP. The 25-year-old star born in the Dominican Republic also was MVP of the AL Championship Series. Houston starter Framer Valdez won his second game in this World Series.HOUSTON (AP) — Yordan Alvarez hit a moon shot that sent Space City into a frenzy, and the Houston Astros to their second World Series title.While the stain on Houston's first championship might never completely fade, Alvarez's majestic three-run homer helped fashion a fresh crown for the Astros -- and the first for Dusty Baker as manager -- in a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6 on Saturday night."What happened before, it doesn't ever pass over completely," said Baker, the veteran manager hired by the Astros in the wake of their sign-stealing scandal. "But we have turned the page and hopefully we'll continue this run."Alvarez blasted a ball over the 40-foot batter's eye in center field during the sixth inning immediately after Phillies starter Zack Wheeler was pulled with a 1-0 lead.As Alvarez's 450-foot shot sailed, Astros starter Framber Valdez jumped and wildly screamed in the dugout while the crowd of 42,958 went crazy waving orange rally towels."When I was rounding second base, I felt the whole stadium moving," Alvarez said through a translator.The 73-year-old Baker finally got his first title in his 25th season as a manager. He's spent the past three with the Astros after they hired him to help the team regain credibility after their trash can banging scheme cost manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow their jobs, and made Houston the most reviled team in baseball."I wasn't here in 2017, but it's definitely a weight off of everybody's shoulders. Ain't nobody can say (anything) now," said closer Ryan Pressly, who finished the Series with another scoreless inning.Baker, who won a World Series as a player with the Los Angeles Dodgers and had been to the Fall Classic twice before as a skipper, is the oldest championship manager in any of the four major North American sports. The win came 20 years after a near-miss, when he came within five outs of taking the title while guiding the San Francisco Giants."What's next? I said if I win one, I want to win two," Baker said afterward.Houston's coaching and training staffs circled around Baker after Nick Castellanos flied out to end it, jumping up and down, and chanting "Dusty! Dusty! Dusty!" in the dugout before they joined the players on the field.Astros rookie shortstop Jeremy Peña was the World Series MVP after getting another key hit, a single to set up Alvarez's homer.The 25-year-old star born in the Dominican Republic also won a Gold Glove award and AL Championship Series MVP — Peña is the first hitter to win those three awards in a career, and he did it all in his first season, per OptaSTATS.Jerseys worn by Peña and Baker during the Series were headed to the Hall of Fame.A year after watching the Atlanta Braves clinch the World Series title at Minute Maid Park, Justin Verlander and the Astros went 11-2 in the postseason and became the first team to seal the championship at home since the 2013 Boston Red Sox.Alvarez homered for the first time since going deep in the first two games this postseason. Christian Vázquez added an RBI single later in the inning to make it 4-1.Valdez earned his second win of this Series. He had been in the dugout only a few minutes after throwing his 93rd and final pitch while striking out nine over six innings.But the lefty had walked off the mound with the wild-card Phillies up 1-0 on Kyle Schwarber's homer leading off the sixth.Schwarber, who hit his third homer in the past four games, rounded the bases waving his raised empty hand in the same motion as the fans with their towels.But by the time Schwarber batted in the eighth, the NL's home run leader was reduced to bunting, trying for a hit to stir a dormant Phillies offense. His bunt went foul with two strikes, resulting in a strikeout.In the sixth, Houston got two runners on base against Wheeler for the first time in the game, when Martín Maldonado was hit by a pitch, Jose Altuve grounded into a forceout and Peña singled.Phillies manager Rob Thomson went to left-handed reliever José Alvarado to face the lefty slugger for the fourth time in the series — Alvarez had popped out twice and been hit by a pitch the first three times."I thought Wheels still had really good stuff. It wasn't about that. It was just I thought the matchup was better with Alvarado on Alvarez at that time," Thomson said.And Alvarado had allowed only three homers to lefty hitters in his six big league seasons, until his 2-1 pitch, when Alvarez crushed the 99 mph sinker."It's kind of a dirty inning and I thought, I mean, going into the series it was always kind of Alvarado on Alvarez," Thomson said. "It was the sixth inning and I felt like the normal back end of the bullpen guys could get through it."Alvarez hadn't homered since Game 2 of the AL Division Series against Seattle, when his two-run shot in the sixth inning put them up to stay. That came after his game-ending, three-run shot in Game 1 for an 8-7 win.Houston won an American League-best 106 games and reached its fourth World Series during a span in which it made it to the AL Championship Series six seasons in a row. The Astros made their only other World Series appearance in 2005, while still in the National League, and were swept in four games by the Chicago White Sox.This was their third ALCS and second consecutive World Series since former Astros pitcher Mike Fiers revealed after the 2019 season, when he had gone from Houston for two years since being part of their 2017 championship, that the team had used a camera in center field to steal signs and signal hitters on which pitches to expect by banging on a garbage can."That will probably never go away but I think this just proves how good this team is and how good it's been for a long time," Astros owner Jim Crane said on the field afterward.Philadelphia was 22-29 when Joe Girardi was fired in early June and replaced by bench coach Thomson, the 59-year-old baseball lifer getting his first chance a big league manager — he was on the Yankees big league staff for 10 seasons with Girardi, and was part of their last World Series and title in 2009.The Phillies finished the regular season 65-46 under Thomson, their 87 wins good for the sixth and final spot in the NL playoffs, on the way to their first World Series since 2009.UP NEXTPhillies: In less than five months, the Phillies will be back in Texas to begin their 2023 regular season, about 250 miles away for the opener of an interleague series March 30 against the Texas Rangers.Astros: Whether or not Baker and/or general manager James Click are back — neither is signed past this season — the World Series champs will play their 2023 season opener at home March 30 against the Chicago White Sox.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Alvarez blasts Baker, Astros to World Series title vs Phils

News Release North Platte Community College

Torrington, Wyo. – Jevarrick Butler matched a career high 26 points to lead five North Platte players in double-figures, as the Knights shot 54 percent from the field in a 90-77 win over Eastern Wyoming on Friday night.

North Platte took a quick 18-10 lead but was unable to continue their momentum, as the Lancers pulled back within one with 7:30 remaining in the opening half. Eastern Wyoming kept their momentum going and briefly took the lead on a pair of free throws, but the Knights recaptured the lead on a layup by Bruce Carpenter ten seconds later.

Butler helped push the Knights lead back to six with two field goals on back-to-back offensive possessions. Lancers made one last run, but the Knights managed to hold on to the four-point advantage at the break, 41-37.

Knights quickly extended the margin to eight by scoring the first two buckets of the second half. Their lead never fell below four until the 10:06 mark of the half, when Eastern Wyoming connected from downtown.

North Platte had a serious battle on their hands even though they never relinquished their lead. Eastern Wyoming cut the deficit to one a minute later, but the Knights found their rhythm and pushed their lead to ten on a Antwone Gonzales layup with 3:04 to play.

Lancers again attempted one last run over the closing minutes, but the Knights defense limited good looks at the basket. Butler and Ramiah Adedigba combined to go 3-of-4 from the free throw line over the final ninety seconds to seal the road win.

Knights (2-0) return to the hardwood on Saturday against Laramie County Community College. Tip is set for 5 p.m. inside the RAC Gymnasium.

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 </figure>News Release North Platte Community CollegeTorrington, Wyo. – Jevarrick Butler matched a career high 26 points to lead five North Platte players in double-figures, as the Knights shot 54 percent from the field in a 90-77 win over Eastern Wyoming on Friday night.North Platte took a quick 18-10 lead but was unable to continue their momentum, as the Lancers pulled back within one with 7:30 remaining in the opening half. Eastern Wyoming kept their momentum going and briefly took the lead on a pair of free throws, but the Knights recaptured the lead on a layup by Bruce Carpenter ten seconds later.Butler helped push the Knights lead back to six with two field goals on back-to-back offensive possessions. Lancers made one last run, but the Knights managed to hold on to the four-point advantage at the break, 41-37.Knights quickly extended the margin to eight by scoring the first two buckets of the second half. Their lead never fell below four until the 10:06 mark of the half, when Eastern Wyoming connected from downtown.North Platte had a serious battle on their hands even though they never relinquished their lead. Eastern Wyoming cut the deficit to one a minute later, but the Knights found their rhythm and pushed their lead to ten on a Antwone Gonzales layup with 3:04 to play.Lancers again attempted one last run over the closing minutes, but the Knights defense limited good looks at the basket. Butler and Ramiah Adedigba combined to go 3-of-4 from the free throw line over the final ninety seconds to seal the road win.Knights (2-0) return to the hardwood on Saturday against Laramie County Community College. Tip is set for 5 p.m. inside the RAC Gymnasium.

North Platte survives thriller against Eastern Wyoming

Outside hitters&nbsp;Emersen Cyza&nbsp;and&nbsp;Asha Regier&nbsp;combined for 21 kills and defensive specialist&nbsp;Rhianna Wilhelm&nbsp;had a long match-closing service run to help 12th-ranked Nebraska Kearney sweep Pittsburg State (<a href="https://lopers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/stats/2022/pittsburg-state/boxscore/7176" target="_blank">-22, -18, -17</a>) Thursday night at the Health &amp; Sports Center.

The Lopers improve to 25-4 (15-4) and take the season series from the Gorillas (15-13, 9-10). UNK is aiming to finish second in the MIAA with Pitt currently in sixth place. The eight-team MIAA Tournament begins next Thursday in St. Joseph, Mo., with pairings announced Saturday night after the completion of the regular season.

In a match with 18 ties and six lead changes, UNK managed to take all three sets but it wasn’t easy as the Gorillas never went away. Cyza (Alliance) and freshman outside&nbsp;Emilee Lane&nbsp;(Hays, Kan.) both hit over .250 with the Lopers at .221 as a team. Both squads had five blocks with UNK recording 10 more digs and 10 more kills.

“We were able to make one or two more defensive plays, especially in the first set when we had to. We didn’t have any blocks (in the first set) but we got a few good block touches down the stretch that allowed us to run transition offense back at them and score,” said UNK head coach&nbsp;Rick Squiers.

The Lopers finished the first set on a 5-2 run with Kearney middle&nbsp;Bailee Sterling&nbsp;having three straight kills and then Cyza having two in a row to make it 1-0 on the scoreboard. She had seven of her match-high 12 kills in this set with UNK recording 18 of its 47 kills.

“The other two sets were just a matter of both teams trading punches until somebody was able to get a little bit of a gap. We were able to get one in both sets but gave one back in the second which was discouraging,” said Squiers.

The second set was a bit more comfortable for the Lopers as they jumped out to a 6-1 lead and eventually had advantages of 15-10 and 20-15. Pitt did get within 20-18 thanks to a kill from Meg Auten but a service error killed their momentum. UNK scored the next five points, one being a Sterling kill and one being an ace from Wilhelm (Henderson).

She came up big in the third as the Gorillas erased a 12-10 deficit to lead 13-12. By the time Wilhelm left the service line, it was 23-14 Lopers. The run started with a Pitt service error and featured six kills, one block and three unforced Gorilla errors.

“Rhianna got on a big service run and we did a good job of getting blocks in that rotation. Crazy thing, that’s one of their better rotations. Their best outside on the left, their best right side on the right. Somehow, we were able to score a bunch,” said Squiers.

Lane continued her late season push by having six kills in 19 attempts (.263) with Regier (Newton, Kan.) coming off the bench in each set to having nine kills in 25 swings. Cyza reached her kill tally in a match-high 36 attacks.

Next, Minden libero&nbsp;Jensen Rowse&nbsp;had a match-best 23 digs with Iowa freshman DS&nbsp;Lexi Stephens&nbsp;perfect in 21 serve receive chances. Finally, Sterling had nine kills, seven digs and three blocks.

“I really liked what Emilee did tonight. In addition to getting some points, she didn’t error a lot and put the ball in play when it wasn’t a kill.&nbsp; She comes off the net and plays pretty good defense at times and even had to knock a serve or two in tonight because we were out of subs,” said Squiers.

Pitt was paced by Auten’s 11 kills and 11 digs with Phoenix Bailey hitting .368 to finish with nine kills and two blocks.

UNK hosts Missouri Southern State (13-154) Friday at 6 p.m. The Lions own four wins over nationally-ranked squads this fall (Washburn twice, Central Missouri and Central Oklahoma).

Outside hitters&nbsp;Emersen Cyza&nbsp;and&nbsp;Asha Regier&nbsp;combined for 21 kills and defensive specialist&nbsp;Rhianna Wilhelm&nbsp;had a long match-closing service run to help 12th-ranked Nebraska Kearney sweep Pittsburg State (<a href="https://lopers.com/sports/womens-volleyball/stats/2022/pittsburg-state/boxscore/7176" target="_blank">-22, -18, -17</a>) Thursday night at the Health &amp; Sports Center.The Lopers improve to 25-4 (15-4) and take the season series from the Gorillas (15-13, 9-10). UNK is aiming to finish second in the MIAA with Pitt currently in sixth place. The eight-team MIAA Tournament begins next Thursday in St. Joseph, Mo., with pairings announced Saturday night after the completion of the regular season.In a match with 18 ties and six lead changes, UNK managed to take all three sets but it wasn’t easy as the Gorillas never went away. Cyza (Alliance) and freshman outside&nbsp;Emilee Lane&nbsp;(Hays, Kan.) both hit over .250 with the Lopers at .221 as a team. Both squads had five blocks with UNK recording 10 more digs and 10 more kills.“We were able to make one or two more defensive plays, especially in the first set when we had to. We didn’t have any blocks (in the first set) but we got a few good block touches down the stretch that allowed us to run transition offense back at them and score,” said UNK head coach&nbsp;Rick Squiers.The Lopers finished the first set on a 5-2 run with Kearney middle&nbsp;Bailee Sterling&nbsp;having three straight kills and then Cyza having two in a row to make it 1-0 on the scoreboard. She had seven of her match-high 12 kills in this set with UNK recording 18 of its 47 kills.“The other two sets were just a matter of both teams trading punches until somebody was able to get a little bit of a gap. We were able to get one in both sets but gave one back in the second which was discouraging,” said Squiers.The second set was a bit more comfortable for the Lopers as they jumped out to a 6-1 lead and eventually had advantages of 15-10 and 20-15. Pitt did get within 20-18 thanks to a kill from Meg Auten but a service error killed their momentum. UNK scored the next five points, one being a Sterling kill and one being an ace from Wilhelm (Henderson).She came up big in the third as the Gorillas erased a 12-10 deficit to lead 13-12. By the time Wilhelm left the service line, it was 23-14 Lopers. The run started with a Pitt service error and featured six kills, one block and three unforced Gorilla errors.“Rhianna got on a big service run and we did a good job of getting blocks in that rotation. Crazy thing, that’s one of their better rotations. Their best outside on the left, their best right side on the right. Somehow, we were able to score a bunch,” said Squiers.Lane continued her late season push by having six kills in 19 attempts (.263) with Regier (Newton, Kan.) coming off the bench in each set to having nine kills in 25 swings. Cyza reached her kill tally in a match-high 36 attacks.Next, Minden libero&nbsp;Jensen Rowse&nbsp;had a match-best 23 digs with Iowa freshman DS&nbsp;Lexi Stephens&nbsp;perfect in 21 serve receive chances. Finally, Sterling had nine kills, seven digs and three blocks.“I really liked what Emilee did tonight. In addition to getting some points, she didn’t error a lot and put the ball in play when it wasn’t a kill.&nbsp; She comes off the net and plays pretty good defense at times and even had to knock a serve or two in tonight because we were out of subs,” said Squiers.Pitt was paced by Auten’s 11 kills and 11 digs with Phoenix Bailey hitting .368 to finish with nine kills and two blocks.UNK hosts Missouri Southern State (13-154) Friday at 6 p.m. The Lions own four wins over nationally-ranked squads this fall (Washburn twice, Central Missouri and Central Oklahoma).

UNK aiming for second place in the MIAA

The Tri-City Storm defeated the Fargo Force by a final score of 5-4 Thursday night at Scheels Arena. The Storm’s offense was powered by a three-goal performance from forward Kieran Cebrian. Ryan Smith and Artemi Nizameyev also scored in the victory for Tri-City. The Storm will return to action tomorrow night in a rematch with the Force. Puck drop for tomorrow’s battle at Scheels Arena is scheduled for 7:05pm CT.

Ryan Smith scored his second goal of the season at 4:33 of the 1st&nbsp;period to give Tri-City a 1-0 lead. The goal was netted on the powerplay, and was assisted by Tanner Adams and Graham Gamache. Anthony Menghini scored a powerplay goal less than two minutes later to tie the game at 1-1. Menghini’s goal was scored on the powerplay, and was assisted by Jacob Napier. Bret Link scored his second goal of the year at 9:18 of the period. Brasen Boser and Cole Knuble each notched an assist on the scoring play. The Force outshot the Storm 10-9 in Thursday’s 1st&nbsp;period, and the team carried a 2-1 lead into the 2nd&nbsp;period.

Kieran Cebrian tied the game for the Storm on a penalty shot at 6:21 of the 2nd&nbsp;period. Cebrian drew a penalty on a shorthanded scoring chance, and was awarded a penalty shot. The goal was the first penalty shot goal scored by any players in the USHL this season. The final goal of Thursday’s 2nd&nbsp;period was netted by Artemi Nizameyev with less than five seconds to play. The goal was scored unassisted, and was his first career USHL goal. The Storm was outshot 14-5 in the 2nd&nbsp;period, but entered the 3rd&nbsp;period with a 3-2 lead.

Mac Swanson scored his second goal of the season just over three minutes into the 3rd&nbsp;period to bring the game to a 3-3 tie. The goal was scored even strength, and was assisted by Cole Knuble. Kieran Cebrian notched his second goal of the game, and sixth goal of the season, at 5:27 of the 3rd&nbsp;period to give Tri-City the lead. The goal was scored on the powerplay, and was assisted by Sebastian Törnqvist, and Cameron O’Neill. Cebrian scored his third goal of the game, and seventh goal of the season, with four minutes remaining in Thursday’s game. The goal gave the Storm a 5-3 lead, and was assisted by Kaden Muir. Bret Link scored his second goal of the game, and third goal of the season, at 17:02 of the 3rd&nbsp;period to bring the Force within one goal of the Storm’s lead. Joe Palodichuk notched an assist on the scoring play. Storm goaltender Karlis Mezsargs made the final save of the night with less than five seconds to play to seal Tri-City’s road win. The Storm was outshot 8-7 in the 3rd&nbsp;period, and 32-21 overall in the game.

Karlis Mezsargs recorded the win in goal for the Storm after stopping 28 of Fargo’s 32 shots on net. Anton Castro picked up the loss in goal for Fargo after making 16 saves on 21 shots. Kieran Cebrian was named the First Star of the Game, and Tri-City improved to 5-5-0-0 in the victory. Tomorrow’s rematch will be the Storm’s final game at Scheels Arena during the 2022-2023 regular season.

Tri-City hits the ice again on Friday, November 4th, in a road game against the Fargo Force. Puck drop for the game is set for 7:05pm CT.

The Tri-City Storm defeated the Fargo Force by a final score of 5-4 Thursday night at Scheels Arena. The Storm’s offense was powered by a three-goal performance from forward Kieran Cebrian. Ryan Smith and Artemi Nizameyev also scored in the victory for Tri-City. The Storm will return to action tomorrow night in a rematch with the Force. Puck drop for tomorrow’s battle at Scheels Arena is scheduled for 7:05pm CT.Ryan Smith scored his second goal of the season at 4:33 of the 1st&nbsp;period to give Tri-City a 1-0 lead. The goal was netted on the powerplay, and was assisted by Tanner Adams and Graham Gamache. Anthony Menghini scored a powerplay goal less than two minutes later to tie the game at 1-1. Menghini’s goal was scored on the powerplay, and was assisted by Jacob Napier. Bret Link scored his second goal of the year at 9:18 of the period. Brasen Boser and Cole Knuble each notched an assist on the scoring play. The Force outshot the Storm 10-9 in Thursday’s 1st&nbsp;period, and the team carried a 2-1 lead into the 2nd&nbsp;period.Kieran Cebrian tied the game for the Storm on a penalty shot at 6:21 of the 2nd&nbsp;period. Cebrian drew a penalty on a shorthanded scoring chance, and was awarded a penalty shot. The goal was the first penalty shot goal scored by any players in the USHL this season. The final goal of Thursday’s 2nd&nbsp;period was netted by Artemi Nizameyev with less than five seconds to play. The goal was scored unassisted, and was his first career USHL goal. The Storm was outshot 14-5 in the 2nd&nbsp;period, but entered the 3rd&nbsp;period with a 3-2 lead.Mac Swanson scored his second goal of the season just over three minutes into the 3rd&nbsp;period to bring the game to a 3-3 tie. The goal was scored even strength, and was assisted by Cole Knuble. Kieran Cebrian notched his second goal of the game, and sixth goal of the season, at 5:27 of the 3rd&nbsp;period to give Tri-City the lead. The goal was scored on the powerplay, and was assisted by Sebastian Törnqvist, and Cameron O’Neill. Cebrian scored his third goal of the game, and seventh goal of the season, with four minutes remaining in Thursday’s game. The goal gave the Storm a 5-3 lead, and was assisted by Kaden Muir. Bret Link scored his second goal of the game, and third goal of the season, at 17:02 of the 3rd&nbsp;period to bring the Force within one goal of the Storm’s lead. Joe Palodichuk notched an assist on the scoring play. Storm goaltender Karlis Mezsargs made the final save of the night with less than five seconds to play to seal Tri-City’s road win. The Storm was outshot 8-7 in the 3rd&nbsp;period, and 32-21 overall in the game.Karlis Mezsargs recorded the win in goal for the Storm after stopping 28 of Fargo’s 32 shots on net. Anton Castro picked up the loss in goal for Fargo after making 16 saves on 21 shots. Kieran Cebrian was named the First Star of the Game, and Tri-City improved to 5-5-0-0 in the victory. Tomorrow’s rematch will be the Storm’s final game at Scheels Arena during the 2022-2023 regular season.Tri-City hits the ice again on Friday, November 4th, in a road game against the Fargo Force. Puck drop for the game is set for 7:05pm CT.

Tri-City Storm defeated Fargo Force 5-4

The Nebraska Kearney volleyball team is fifth in the second edition of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/volleyball-women/d2/regional-rankings" target="_blank">NCAA Regional Rankings</a>.

These rankings determine the NCAA Tournament field which will be announced on Sunday, Nov. 13. The field consists of 64 teams from eight regions. UNK and the MIAA are in the Central Region along with the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conf. (NSIC) and Great American Conf. (GAC). The conference tourney winners receive an auto bid to the NCAA’s with national rankings having no bearing on the NCAA selection process.

UNK has a 22-4 Division II record and an 18-4 Central Region mark. The Lopers are 3-5 against the current Central Top 10 with Pittsburg State (15-13) and Missouri Southern (13-14) visiting the Health &amp; Sports Center this Thursday and Friday nights to close out the regular season. MSSU upset Central Missouri Tuesday in Warrensburg; the Lions also have two wins over Washburn.

The top seed in the region hosts the first three rounds of the NCAA Tourney/Central Regional Nov. 17-19. Wayne State is at Concordia-St. Paul this Saturday in a big NSIC match. WSC is 2-0 vs. the Golden Bears to date and they could face each other again in the NSIC Tourney which is in St. Paul this year.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Seed/School&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In-Region&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; D2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; National Rank

The GAC Tourney Champ will be in the top eight

The Nebraska Kearney volleyball team is fifth in the second edition of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/volleyball-women/d2/regional-rankings" target="_blank">NCAA Regional Rankings</a>.These rankings determine the NCAA Tournament field which will be announced on Sunday, Nov. 13. The field consists of 64 teams from eight regions. UNK and the MIAA are in the Central Region along with the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conf. (NSIC) and Great American Conf. (GAC). The conference tourney winners receive an auto bid to the NCAA’s with national rankings having no bearing on the NCAA selection process.UNK has a 22-4 Division II record and an 18-4 Central Region mark. The Lopers are 3-5 against the current Central Top 10 with Pittsburg State (15-13) and Missouri Southern (13-14) visiting the Health &amp; Sports Center this Thursday and Friday nights to close out the regular season. MSSU upset Central Missouri Tuesday in Warrensburg; the Lions also have two wins over Washburn.The top seed in the region hosts the first three rounds of the NCAA Tourney/Central Regional Nov. 17-19. Wayne State is at Concordia-St. Paul this Saturday in a big NSIC match. WSC is 2-0 vs. the Golden Bears to date and they could face each other again in the NSIC Tourney which is in St. Paul this year.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Seed/School&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In-Region&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; D2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; National Rank<ol>
 <li>Wayne State &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 21-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 26-1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2nd</li><li>Concordia-St. Paul&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 18-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 23-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 3rd</li><li>Minnesota-Duluth&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 19-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 23-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5th</li><li>Northwest Missouri&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 15-3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 21-5&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 10th</li><li>UNK&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 18-4&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 22-4&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 12th</li><li>Central Missouri&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 16-4&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 18-8&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 24th</li><li>Southwest Minn. St.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 17-5&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 21-5&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 7th</li><li>Central Oklahoma&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 21-5&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 23-5&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 21st</li><li>Washburn&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 14-6&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 20-6&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 17th</li><li>St. Cloud State&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 15-5&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 21-5&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 8th</li>
 </ol>The GAC Tourney Champ will be in the top eight

Lopers host upset minded Missouri Southern Friday night

The No. 4 Nebraska volleyball team picked up a 25-22, 25-18, 25-19 sweep of Indiana on Wednesday night in front of 8,205 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.&nbsp; The Huskers improved to 20-2 (12-1 Big Ten), while Indiana fell to 13-12 (6-7 Big Ten). Nebraska dealt Indiana its first sweep in its last eight matches.&nbsp; Nebraska's outside hitter trio of Madi Kubik, Whitney Lauenstein&nbsp;and Lindsay Krause had a big night to lead the Huskers. Kubik had nine kills on only 22 swings while Lauenstein had eight kills on 18 swings, hitting .333. But it was Krause who had the most efficient night, totaling eight kills on 17 error-free swings on her way to a season-high .471 attack percentage. Krause did not have a kill on five swings in the first set before producing eight kills on 12 swings over the final two sets. Nebraska hit .208 for the match while limiting Indiana to a .124 attack percentage. Lauenstein, Kaitlyn Hord and&nbsp;Bekka&nbsp;Allick each had three blocks for Nebraska, helping the Huskers out-block the Hoosiers, 7-4. Nebraska also out-dug Indiana, 44-33, led by 10 digs from Lexi Rodriguez&nbsp;and eight from&nbsp;Nicklin&nbsp;Hames. Mady&nbsp;Saris had 12 kills to lead the Hoosiers. Set 1:&nbsp;Indiana used a jump serve to gain an early 8-5 edge in the set, but the Huskers battled back to take an 11-10 lead. A kill by Kubik broke a 13-13 tie, and a ball handling error on Indiana made it 15-13 Huskers. But the Hoosiers came back to tie the score at 15-15 and then the teams traded&nbsp;sideouts&nbsp;for 11 straight rallies until Indiana hit long to give NU a 22-20 lead. The Huskers claimed a 25-22 win after a kill by Kubik and a block by Hord and Lauenstein. Both teams struggled offensively with NU hitting .103 and IU hitting .070.&nbsp; Set 2:&nbsp;Nebraska came out firing in the second set, taking a 9-3 lead after six kills by Krause, Kubik, Lauenstein and Allick. The Hoosiers pulled within 11-8, but Krause terminated back-to-back kills to get the lead back to five at 13-8. But Indiana got a kill and then back-to-back aces by&nbsp;Kenzie&nbsp;Daffinee&nbsp;to cut it to 13-11. A kill by Kubik and ace by Rodriguez put the Huskers ahead by four, 16-12, and after a kill by Saris, Kubik connected again and Lauenstein followed with two aces in a row for a 19-13 advantage. Allick and Krause had kills around a block by Mendelson and Allick to make it 22-15 Big Red, and the Huskers went on to win 25-18. Nebraska hit .481 in set two, while Indiana hit .300.&nbsp; Set 3:&nbsp;Kubik and Allick had kills and the Huskers turned the set into a block party with three stuffs in a row to go up 9-3. Allick and Krause were each in on two blocks, while Mendelson posted one. Indiana chipped away to get within 15-12, but two Hoosier service errors and two kills by Krause had the Huskers back up by five, 18-13. Indiana pulled within 20-17 and the Huskers took a timeout. Out of the break, Lauenstein terminated and then teamed up with Hord for a block and a 22-17 lead. NU finished out the sweep with two kills by Lauenstein for a 25-19 win.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The No. 4 Nebraska volleyball team picked up a 25-22, 25-18, 25-19 sweep of Indiana on Wednesday night in front of 8,205 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.&nbsp; The Huskers improved to 20-2 (12-1 Big Ten), while Indiana fell to 13-12 (6-7 Big Ten). Nebraska dealt Indiana its first sweep in its last eight matches.&nbsp; Nebraska's outside hitter trio of Madi Kubik, Whitney Lauenstein&nbsp;and Lindsay Krause had a big night to lead the Huskers. Kubik had nine kills on only 22 swings while Lauenstein had eight kills on 18 swings, hitting .333. But it was Krause who had the most efficient night, totaling eight kills on 17 error-free swings on her way to a season-high .471 attack percentage. Krause did not have a kill on five swings in the first set before producing eight kills on 12 swings over the final two sets. Nebraska hit .208 for the match while limiting Indiana to a .124 attack percentage. Lauenstein, Kaitlyn Hord and&nbsp;Bekka&nbsp;Allick each had three blocks for Nebraska, helping the Huskers out-block the Hoosiers, 7-4. Nebraska also out-dug Indiana, 44-33, led by 10 digs from Lexi Rodriguez&nbsp;and eight from&nbsp;Nicklin&nbsp;Hames. Mady&nbsp;Saris had 12 kills to lead the Hoosiers. Set 1:&nbsp;Indiana used a jump serve to gain an early 8-5 edge in the set, but the Huskers battled back to take an 11-10 lead. A kill by Kubik broke a 13-13 tie, and a ball handling error on Indiana made it 15-13 Huskers. But the Hoosiers came back to tie the score at 15-15 and then the teams traded&nbsp;sideouts&nbsp;for 11 straight rallies until Indiana hit long to give NU a 22-20 lead. The Huskers claimed a 25-22 win after a kill by Kubik and a block by Hord and Lauenstein. Both teams struggled offensively with NU hitting .103 and IU hitting .070.&nbsp; Set 2:&nbsp;Nebraska came out firing in the second set, taking a 9-3 lead after six kills by Krause, Kubik, Lauenstein and Allick. The Hoosiers pulled within 11-8, but Krause terminated back-to-back kills to get the lead back to five at 13-8. But Indiana got a kill and then back-to-back aces by&nbsp;Kenzie&nbsp;Daffinee&nbsp;to cut it to 13-11. A kill by Kubik and ace by Rodriguez put the Huskers ahead by four, 16-12, and after a kill by Saris, Kubik connected again and Lauenstein followed with two aces in a row for a 19-13 advantage. Allick and Krause had kills around a block by Mendelson and Allick to make it 22-15 Big Red, and the Huskers went on to win 25-18. Nebraska hit .481 in set two, while Indiana hit .300.&nbsp; Set 3:&nbsp;Kubik and Allick had kills and the Huskers turned the set into a block party with three stuffs in a row to go up 9-3. Allick and Krause were each in on two blocks, while Mendelson posted one. Indiana chipped away to get within 15-12, but two Hoosier service errors and two kills by Krause had the Huskers back up by five, 18-13. Indiana pulled within 20-17 and the Huskers took a timeout. Out of the break, Lauenstein terminated and then teamed up with Hord for a block and a 22-17 lead. NU finished out the sweep with two kills by Lauenstein for a 25-19 win.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Volleyball - Huskers sweep Hoosiers

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Hammered the night before, Cristian Javier and the Houston Astros desperately needed to figure how to keep Bryce Harper and the Phillies in the ballpark.

Javier and Houston's bullpen combined on just the second no-hitter in World Series history, silencing a booming lineup and boisterous fans as the Astros blanked Philadelphia 5-0 Wednesday night to even the matchup at two games each.

“You get slapped in the face yesterday and you want to come back today and make a statement,” closer Ryan Pressly said.

The only previous no-hitter in the World Series was a perfect game by Don Larsen of the New York Yankees against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956.

Javier and three relievers weren't perfect in Game 4, but they were close.

Plus, they'd done this before: Javier, the starter in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-sports-new-york-houston-astros-baseball-b0b6425badc07aea00036dbab24e2d83">a combined no-hitter</a>&nbsp;against the New York Yankees in June, was pulled with a no-hitter in progress after six innings and 97 pitches this time.

Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero and Pressly each followed with a hitless inning for the first combined no-hitter in postseason play. Astros arms totaled 14 strikeouts and three walks in ensuring this year’s championship will be decided this weekend back at Minute Maid Park.

Soon after J.T. Realmuto grounded out to end it, the quartet of pitchers posed with catcher Christian Vázquez near the visiting dugout, each putting a hand on the game ball for a photo. It's a picture no one could've envisioned 24 hours earlier, when Philadelphia clubbed a Series record-tying five home runs in a 7-0 romp in Game 3.

“That’s crazy, man," Vázquez said. “It was special.”

The four pitchers and Vázquez also signed a ball headed to the Hall of Fame.

Javier said his parents predicted Tuesday night he was going to throw a no-hitter. The 25-year-old righty from the Dominican Republic said his father, Cecilio Javier, arrived in the United States on Tuesday, and this was the first time his dad saw him pitch.

“I just came out holding onto God, trying to be positive, trying to attack the strike zone," he said via translator. "Thanks to God I was able to accomplish that.”

In 2010, Roy Halladay pitched a no-hitter for the Phillies in the NL Division Series, also here at Citizens Bank Park. Halladay's gem came against a Cincinnati team managed by Dusty Baker, Houston's current skipper.

“Oh, yeah, I was on the other end in this ballpark. I mean, that’s what’s strange about life,” Baker said.

With Larsen and the Houston combo, those are the only three no-hitters in the postseason.

The closest the Phillies came to a hit was in the third inning, when Kyle Schwarber grounded a hard foul past first base. On fair balls, nothing.

“It’s cool,” Schwarber said, sarcastically. “We’ll be in the history books I guess.”

Game 5 is on Thursday night in Philly. Astros ace Justin Verlander will again chase&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-sports-houston-astros-philadelphia-phillies-c9807290853f3dc1b851c6cb4272359e">that elusive first World Series win</a>&nbsp;when he faces Noah Syndergaard.

They can only hope to pitch as well as Javier.

By the time Javier exited, the lone hit maker on the Philadelphia side who showed up on the scoreboard was rocker Bruce Springsteen, pictured surrounded by Phillies fans.

And a few innings later, as fans started leaving the stadium, there actually were boos for postseason star Harper and the Phillies.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/976bb1c829fcb1284ae40ce5759038e5">First lady Jill Biden</a>, a noted Phillies fan, was among those in the crowd of 45,693 who had little to shout about.

“For me? I mean, a loss is a loss,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “That’s the way I kind of look at it.”

Alex Bregman delivered the big hit Houston hoped for, a two-run double in a five-run fifth inning, and that was plenty for the Astros.

Completely in charge, Javier struck out nine — including five straight — walked two and hardly allowed any loud contact. He tamed a club that had been 6-0 at home this postseason while hitting 17 home runs.

“New day, new opportunity,” Abreu said. “What happened yesterday stays in the past. Today is a new opportunity.”

Opponents hit only .170 against Javier during the regular season, the lowest mark in baseball among pitchers with at least 130 innings.

“When I first met him he told me he had a disappearing fastball and I’m like, `There is no such thing.’ But I guess so," Baker said.

Javier threw 70 fastballs and the Phillies barely touched him.

“I think it’s the best fastball I've ever seen," Vázquez said.

Very still on the mound, Javier carved his own quiet spot in the middle of the Phillies’ storm. Backing off onto the grass, straightening his hat, rubbing the ball, taking deep breaths, he proceeded at his own pace.

Next year, Javier won’t be able to work quite this way. Major League Baseball is instituting a pitch clock — 15 seconds to throw with the bases empty, 20 with someone on — and Javier often surpassed those limits on this evening, drawing boos from a crowd eager for action.

This performance by Javier came a year after Atlanta’s Ian Anderson was taken out after pitching five hitless innings against Houston in the World Series. Pressly permitted the only other Phillies runner, walking Schwarber in the ninth.

Philadelphia was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-sports-new-york-mets-baseball-e9d8f762dfba01520e4ba1c27bd19213">no-hit by five New York Mets</a>&nbsp;pitchers in April, one of several crushing losses that led to manager Joe Girardi's firing two months later.

“We came back the next day and won,” said Thomson, then the bench coach. “So these guys, they got a short memory.”

This was the fourth no-hitter of the season — two combos by the Astros, the team job by the Mets and the only individual effort, by Angels rookie Reid Detmers.

Maybe it was the team’s switch to orange tops, or the lucky lunch Baker had at a Philly hoagie spot, but the Astros sure looked different than the previous night, when they got shut out on a feeble five singles.

Blanked for 16 innings, Bregman and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-sports-houston-astros-philadelphia-baseball-183c03ba86f6ef08cf941cee3a730760">Astros chased Aaron Nola</a>&nbsp;in their big fifth.

Houston’s hits resonated far away, too.

Chants of “Let’s go, Astros!” erupted when highlights and the score were shown at the Toyota Center as the Houston Rockets hosted the Los Angeles Clippers in an NBA game.

And there figure to be Astros cheers at NRG Stadium in Houston on Thursday night when the Texans take on the Philadelphia Eagles, the NFL’s only unbeaten team, in a matchup that’ll be played&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-series-philadelphia-houston-astros-phillies-eagles-46144c27c29c26440cfd1bf27bcde7c4">at the same time</a>&nbsp;as Game 5.

It was quiet in Philly, though, as fans who came wanting to see a win were reduced to merely hoping for a hit.

Wawa encouraged Phillies fans hungry for a Game 4 win to dig in for a bite of their sandwiches during the game. One problem, the popular Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain tweeted of the Phillies an hour before first pitch, “Each time they get a hit, take a bite of your hoagie!”

Wawa might have&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Wawa/status/1587944392811323396?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet">bit off more than it could chew</a>&nbsp;with that tweet.

Twitter fans had a field day at Wawa’s expense.

Famished fans tweeted photos of skeletons next to untouched sandwiches. One snapped a photo of an unwrapped hoagie resting on a pants leg. Others cracked they died of starvation. Some asked what they should do with their stale hoagies.

Astros: Verlander is 0-6 with a 6.07 ERA in eight World Series starts after failing to hold a five-run lead in the opener.

Phillies: RHP Syndergaard had been set to start Game 3 before it was washed out Monday night. He'll now open a bullpen game.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667472679123.jpeg" alt="world series no hitter ap photo.jpg" />
 <figcaption>world series no hitter ap photo.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSPHILADELPHIA (AP) — Hammered the night before, Cristian Javier and the Houston Astros desperately needed to figure how to keep Bryce Harper and the Phillies in the ballpark.How about a no-hitter, would that do?Javier and Houston's bullpen combined on just the second no-hitter in World Series history, silencing a booming lineup and boisterous fans as the Astros blanked Philadelphia 5-0 Wednesday night to even the matchup at two games each.“You get slapped in the face yesterday and you want to come back today and make a statement,” closer Ryan Pressly said.The only previous no-hitter in the World Series was a perfect game by Don Larsen of the New York Yankees against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956.Javier and three relievers weren't perfect in Game 4, but they were close.Plus, they'd done this before: Javier, the starter in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-sports-new-york-houston-astros-baseball-b0b6425badc07aea00036dbab24e2d83">a combined no-hitter</a>&nbsp;against the New York Yankees in June, was pulled with a no-hitter in progress after six innings and 97 pitches this time.Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero and Pressly each followed with a hitless inning for the first combined no-hitter in postseason play. Astros arms totaled 14 strikeouts and three walks in ensuring this year’s championship will be decided this weekend back at Minute Maid Park.Soon after J.T. Realmuto grounded out to end it, the quartet of pitchers posed with catcher Christian Vázquez near the visiting dugout, each putting a hand on the game ball for a photo. It's a picture no one could've envisioned 24 hours earlier, when Philadelphia clubbed a Series record-tying five home runs in a 7-0 romp in Game 3.“That’s crazy, man," Vázquez said. “It was special.”The four pitchers and Vázquez also signed a ball headed to the Hall of Fame.Javier said his parents predicted Tuesday night he was going to throw a no-hitter. The 25-year-old righty from the Dominican Republic said his father, Cecilio Javier, arrived in the United States on Tuesday, and this was the first time his dad saw him pitch.“I just came out holding onto God, trying to be positive, trying to attack the strike zone," he said via translator. "Thanks to God I was able to accomplish that.”In 2010, Roy Halladay pitched a no-hitter for the Phillies in the NL Division Series, also here at Citizens Bank Park. Halladay's gem came against a Cincinnati team managed by Dusty Baker, Houston's current skipper.“Oh, yeah, I was on the other end in this ballpark. I mean, that’s what’s strange about life,” Baker said.With Larsen and the Houston combo, those are the only three no-hitters in the postseason.The closest the Phillies came to a hit was in the third inning, when Kyle Schwarber grounded a hard foul past first base. On fair balls, nothing.“It’s cool,” Schwarber said, sarcastically. “We’ll be in the history books I guess.”Game 5 is on Thursday night in Philly. Astros ace Justin Verlander will again chase&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-sports-houston-astros-philadelphia-phillies-c9807290853f3dc1b851c6cb4272359e">that elusive first World Series win</a>&nbsp;when he faces Noah Syndergaard.They can only hope to pitch as well as Javier.By the time Javier exited, the lone hit maker on the Philadelphia side who showed up on the scoreboard was rocker Bruce Springsteen, pictured surrounded by Phillies fans.And a few innings later, as fans started leaving the stadium, there actually were boos for postseason star Harper and the Phillies.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/976bb1c829fcb1284ae40ce5759038e5">First lady Jill Biden</a>, a noted Phillies fan, was among those in the crowd of 45,693 who had little to shout about.“For me? I mean, a loss is a loss,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “That’s the way I kind of look at it.”Alex Bregman delivered the big hit Houston hoped for, a two-run double in a five-run fifth inning, and that was plenty for the Astros.Completely in charge, Javier struck out nine — including five straight — walked two and hardly allowed any loud contact. He tamed a club that had been 6-0 at home this postseason while hitting 17 home runs.“New day, new opportunity,” Abreu said. “What happened yesterday stays in the past. Today is a new opportunity.”Opponents hit only .170 against Javier during the regular season, the lowest mark in baseball among pitchers with at least 130 innings.“When I first met him he told me he had a disappearing fastball and I’m like, `There is no such thing.’ But I guess so," Baker said.Javier threw 70 fastballs and the Phillies barely touched him.“I think it’s the best fastball I've ever seen," Vázquez said.Very still on the mound, Javier carved his own quiet spot in the middle of the Phillies’ storm. Backing off onto the grass, straightening his hat, rubbing the ball, taking deep breaths, he proceeded at his own pace.Next year, Javier won’t be able to work quite this way. Major League Baseball is instituting a pitch clock — 15 seconds to throw with the bases empty, 20 with someone on — and Javier often surpassed those limits on this evening, drawing boos from a crowd eager for action.This performance by Javier came a year after Atlanta’s Ian Anderson was taken out after pitching five hitless innings against Houston in the World Series. Pressly permitted the only other Phillies runner, walking Schwarber in the ninth.Philadelphia was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-sports-new-york-mets-baseball-e9d8f762dfba01520e4ba1c27bd19213">no-hit by five New York Mets</a>&nbsp;pitchers in April, one of several crushing losses that led to manager Joe Girardi's firing two months later.“We came back the next day and won,” said Thomson, then the bench coach. “So these guys, they got a short memory.”This was the fourth no-hitter of the season — two combos by the Astros, the team job by the Mets and the only individual effort, by Angels rookie Reid Detmers.Maybe it was the team’s switch to orange tops, or the lucky lunch Baker had at a Philly hoagie spot, but the Astros sure looked different than the previous night, when they got shut out on a feeble five singles.Blanked for 16 innings, Bregman and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-sports-houston-astros-philadelphia-baseball-183c03ba86f6ef08cf941cee3a730760">Astros chased Aaron Nola</a>&nbsp;in their big fifth.Houston’s hits resonated far away, too.Chants of “Let’s go, Astros!” erupted when highlights and the score were shown at the Toyota Center as the Houston Rockets hosted the Los Angeles Clippers in an NBA game.And there figure to be Astros cheers at NRG Stadium in Houston on Thursday night when the Texans take on the Philadelphia Eagles, the NFL’s only unbeaten team, in a matchup that’ll be played&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-series-philadelphia-houston-astros-phillies-eagles-46144c27c29c26440cfd1bf27bcde7c4">at the same time</a>&nbsp;as Game 5.It was quiet in Philly, though, as fans who came wanting to see a win were reduced to merely hoping for a hit.HUNGRY FOR A HOAGIEWawa encouraged Phillies fans hungry for a Game 4 win to dig in for a bite of their sandwiches during the game. One problem, the popular Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain tweeted of the Phillies an hour before first pitch, “Each time they get a hit, take a bite of your hoagie!”Wawa might have&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Wawa/status/1587944392811323396?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet">bit off more than it could chew</a>&nbsp;with that tweet.Twitter fans had a field day at Wawa’s expense.Famished fans tweeted photos of skeletons next to untouched sandwiches. One snapped a photo of an unwrapped hoagie resting on a pants leg. Others cracked they died of starvation. Some asked what they should do with their stale hoagies.UP NEXTAstros: Verlander is 0-6 with a 6.07 ERA in eight World Series starts after failing to hold a five-run lead in the opener.Phillies: RHP Syndergaard had been set to start Game 3 before it was washed out Monday night. He'll now open a bullpen game.

Javier, Astros pitch 2nd no-hitter in World Series history

The North Platte Community College women’s basketball team opened the 2022-23 season on the road against Cloud County Community College on Tuesday night. The Thunderbirds strong defensive pressure proved too much, as Cloud County defeated the Knights 82-42.

The Knights fell behind early trailing by seven in the opening minutes of the first quarter. A Samantha Riggles jumper off an inbound gave the Knights their first basket of the season. The Thunderbirds went back to work and managed to stretch their lead to thirteen by the end of the opening quarter, 20-7.

In the second quarter the Thunderbird lead ballooned to nineteen, before a 14-6 run capped off by a layup by Riggles narrowed the deficit to eleven, 33-22. Cloud County halted the momentum swing by connecting from downtown to stretch the deficit to 14 by the halftime break, 22-36.

Riggles connected on a turnaround jumper in the opening seconds of the third quarter, as the deficit was trimmed to twelve. The Cloud County offense once again responded as their lead grew to 28 by the midway point of the quarter. Knights temporarily halted the momentum with a three by Noel Warrior, but the Cloud County offensive attack never cooled down taking a 61-34 lead into the final quarter.

The offense was quiet in the fourth quarter, as the Knights were held to just one field goal in the opening eight minutes. Cloud County continued to add to their lead down the stretch, as they put the finishing touches on their victory.

Riggles paced the Knights with 11 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the field. Reece Halley was the top rebounder collecting seven rebounds to accompany her six points.&nbsp;

North Platte (0-1) will look to rebound as they travel to Torrington, Wyo. to take on the Lancers of Eastern Wyoming on Friday. Tip is set for 6:30 p.m at the Eastern Wyoming College Gymnasium.

The North Platte Community College women’s basketball team opened the 2022-23 season on the road against Cloud County Community College on Tuesday night. The Thunderbirds strong defensive pressure proved too much, as Cloud County defeated the Knights 82-42.The Knights fell behind early trailing by seven in the opening minutes of the first quarter. A Samantha Riggles jumper off an inbound gave the Knights their first basket of the season. The Thunderbirds went back to work and managed to stretch their lead to thirteen by the end of the opening quarter, 20-7.In the second quarter the Thunderbird lead ballooned to nineteen, before a 14-6 run capped off by a layup by Riggles narrowed the deficit to eleven, 33-22. Cloud County halted the momentum swing by connecting from downtown to stretch the deficit to 14 by the halftime break, 22-36.Riggles connected on a turnaround jumper in the opening seconds of the third quarter, as the deficit was trimmed to twelve. The Cloud County offense once again responded as their lead grew to 28 by the midway point of the quarter. Knights temporarily halted the momentum with a three by Noel Warrior, but the Cloud County offensive attack never cooled down taking a 61-34 lead into the final quarter.The offense was quiet in the fourth quarter, as the Knights were held to just one field goal in the opening eight minutes. Cloud County continued to add to their lead down the stretch, as they put the finishing touches on their victory.Riggles paced the Knights with 11 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the field. Reece Halley was the top rebounder collecting seven rebounds to accompany her six points.&nbsp;North Platte (0-1) will look to rebound as they travel to Torrington, Wyo. to take on the Lancers of Eastern Wyoming on Friday. Tip is set for 6:30 p.m at the Eastern Wyoming College Gymnasium.

North Platte falls in season opener to Thunderbirds

Knights open season with road win over Cloud County

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska quarterback Casey Thompson is listed as day-to-day for the game against Minnesota on Saturday because of an arm injury that knocked him out of last week's game.

Interim coach Mickey Joseph said Thompson was held out of practice Tuesday and backups Chubba Purdy and Logan Smothers split snaps evenly with the No. 1 offense.

Thompson, the Texas transfer who has started every game for the Huskers (3-5, 2-3 Big Ten), was hurt in the second quarter while throwing an interception. He got hit on the elbow on his right (throwing) arm, causing numbness in his hand.

Smothers played the rest of the first half and Purdy took over at the start of the second.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-sports-nebraska-cornhuskers-casey-thompson-chase-brown-8eb829011997d9ac46fabc9889ba4a13">The Cornhuskers, who lost 26-9, managed only 29 yards after halftime.</a>

Smothers is considered the better runner and Purdy the better passer. Smothers' only start was last year in a 28-21 loss at Iowa. Purdy is in his first year at Nebraska after transferring from Florida State.

Joseph said he went with Purdy in the second half because he thought the Huskers, down double digits, would need to pass more. The Huskers had only 20 offensive plays in the second half and passed on eight, with Purdy completing three for 15 yards and throwing an ill-advised interception.

“He plays nervous sometimes and I just want him to breathe and calm down because (then) he plays better,” Joseph said. “He’s got to have more poise behind the center when he goes in a game. He wants to make a play so bad that he makes a bad play. We've got to do a better job as coaches to get him ready.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667360109323.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska quarterback Casey Thompson is listed as day-to-day for the game against Minnesota on Saturday because of an arm injury that knocked him out of last week's game.Interim coach Mickey Joseph said Thompson was held out of practice Tuesday and backups Chubba Purdy and Logan Smothers split snaps evenly with the No. 1 offense.Thompson, the Texas transfer who has started every game for the Huskers (3-5, 2-3 Big Ten), was hurt in the second quarter while throwing an interception. He got hit on the elbow on his right (throwing) arm, causing numbness in his hand.Smothers played the rest of the first half and Purdy took over at the start of the second.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-sports-nebraska-cornhuskers-casey-thompson-chase-brown-8eb829011997d9ac46fabc9889ba4a13">The Cornhuskers, who lost 26-9, managed only 29 yards after halftime.</a>Smothers is considered the better runner and Purdy the better passer. Smothers' only start was last year in a 28-21 loss at Iowa. Purdy is in his first year at Nebraska after transferring from Florida State.Joseph said he went with Purdy in the second half because he thought the Huskers, down double digits, would need to pass more. The Huskers had only 20 offensive plays in the second half and passed on eight, with Purdy completing three for 15 yards and throwing an ill-advised interception.“He plays nervous sometimes and I just want him to breathe and calm down because (then) he plays better,” Joseph said. “He’s got to have more poise behind the center when he goes in a game. He wants to make a play so bad that he makes a bad play. We've got to do a better job as coaches to get him ready.”

Still unclear if Thompson will play Saturday

UNDATED (AP) — Tennessee, Ohio State, Georgia, and Clemson were the top four teams in the first College Football Playoff rankings of the season, four days before the Volunteers and Bulldogs square off on the field. Michigan was fifth, followed by Alabama and unbeaten TCU. Tennessee is No. 1 in the CFP rankings for the first time, starting a head of a group of teams that have become regulars at the top of the selection committee’s top 25.

UNDATED (AP) — Detroit Mercy guard Antoine Davis has a chance to end his career as one of the most prolific scorers and 3-point shooters in college basketball history. Davis is more concerned with earning the NCAA Tournament berth that has eluded him thus far. Davis enters the 2022-23 season as one of the most noteworthy players from mid-major or low-major programs. His 429 career 3-pointers put him just 80 away from the Division I record. Fletcher Magee made 509 3-pointers at Wofford from 2015-19. Davis has scored 2,734 career points to rank 22nd in Division I history.

UNDATED (AP) — The NCAA is allowing teams to play and practice on Election Day. It had been a mandatory off day the past two years so athletes could participate in civic engagement. The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee proposed a change last year allowing teams in season to play or practice on Election Day as long as they get another day off before or after for civic engagement. There are 11 men’s basketball games next Tuesday along with 10 women's games. There are also three college football games. The NBA is taking the day off. The NHL has 11 games scheduled.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Four more Michigan State football players have been suspended for their roles in the melee in the Michigan Stadium tunnel. That brings to eight the number of suspensions. Among the latest players suspended is Jacoby Windmon. Windmon plays defensive end and linebacker and joined the Spartans this season after playing the previous three at UNLV. He leads the Big Ten with 10 1/2 tackles for loss and is tied for second with 5 1/2 sacks. His five forced fumbles are most in the nation. Also suspended were cornerbacks Malcolm Jones and Justin White and defensive end Brandon Wright.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota was given quite the challenge when the Big Ten unveiled its 2023 football schedule. The Gophers must play Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State for their three crossover games against East Division teams. That might be the last time a school receives such a surprise from the league. USC and UCLA are coming in 2024. The 16-team conference will dictate a new scheduling system that could include the elimination of divisions. That format would bring more balance and consistency.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska quarterback Casey Thompson is listed as day-to-day for the game against Minnesota on Saturday because of an arm injury that knocked him out of last week’s game. Thompson was held out of practice Tuesday. Backups Chubba Purdy and Logan Smothers split snaps evenly with the No. 1 offense. Thompson was hurt in the second quarter against Illinois while throwing an interception. The elbow on his throwing arm was hit on the play and that caused numbness in his hand. The Cornhuskers managed only 29 yards after halftime with Purdy playing.

MARYVILLE, Mo. (AP) — It only takes a couple of marquee players to compete for championships at the lower levels of college basketball. But transferring is much easier now and players do not need to sit out a year anymore. They can also earn money based on their celebrity. Those two factors have made it more likely for smaller programs to lose top players to Division I powerhouse schools. That's tough for smaller schools. Coaches coming off 20-win seasons could be left rebuilding their rosters or even fighting for their jobs if they struggle.

UNDATED (AP) — Many top college basketball programs have turned to the transfer portal to fill out rosters. It gives them an opportunity to add a veteran player instead of having to teach freshmen. This has a ripple effect: Recruits outside the top 75 players are seeing less interest from high-major programs. The shift has allowed mid-major schools to sign higher-ranking recruits. Even smaller schools are able to recruit players who previously never would have looked their way.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/5/1559064213453-Big10Logo.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSUNDATED (AP) — Tennessee, Ohio State, Georgia, and Clemson were the top four teams in the first College Football Playoff rankings of the season, four days before the Volunteers and Bulldogs square off on the field. Michigan was fifth, followed by Alabama and unbeaten TCU. Tennessee is No. 1 in the CFP rankings for the first time, starting a head of a group of teams that have become regulars at the top of the selection committee’s top 25.UNDATED (AP) — Detroit Mercy guard Antoine Davis has a chance to end his career as one of the most prolific scorers and 3-point shooters in college basketball history. Davis is more concerned with earning the NCAA Tournament berth that has eluded him thus far. Davis enters the 2022-23 season as one of the most noteworthy players from mid-major or low-major programs. His 429 career 3-pointers put him just 80 away from the Division I record. Fletcher Magee made 509 3-pointers at Wofford from 2015-19. Davis has scored 2,734 career points to rank 22nd in Division I history.UNDATED (AP) — The NCAA is allowing teams to play and practice on Election Day. It had been a mandatory off day the past two years so athletes could participate in civic engagement. The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee proposed a change last year allowing teams in season to play or practice on Election Day as long as they get another day off before or after for civic engagement. There are 11 men’s basketball games next Tuesday along with 10 women's games. There are also three college football games. The NBA is taking the day off. The NHL has 11 games scheduled.ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Four more Michigan State football players have been suspended for their roles in the melee in the Michigan Stadium tunnel. That brings to eight the number of suspensions. Among the latest players suspended is Jacoby Windmon. Windmon plays defensive end and linebacker and joined the Spartans this season after playing the previous three at UNLV. He leads the Big Ten with 10 1/2 tackles for loss and is tied for second with 5 1/2 sacks. His five forced fumbles are most in the nation. Also suspended were cornerbacks Malcolm Jones and Justin White and defensive end Brandon Wright.MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota was given quite the challenge when the Big Ten unveiled its 2023 football schedule. The Gophers must play Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State for their three crossover games against East Division teams. That might be the last time a school receives such a surprise from the league. USC and UCLA are coming in 2024. The 16-team conference will dictate a new scheduling system that could include the elimination of divisions. That format would bring more balance and consistency.LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska quarterback Casey Thompson is listed as day-to-day for the game against Minnesota on Saturday because of an arm injury that knocked him out of last week’s game. Thompson was held out of practice Tuesday. Backups Chubba Purdy and Logan Smothers split snaps evenly with the No. 1 offense. Thompson was hurt in the second quarter against Illinois while throwing an interception. The elbow on his throwing arm was hit on the play and that caused numbness in his hand. The Cornhuskers managed only 29 yards after halftime with Purdy playing.MARYVILLE, Mo. (AP) — It only takes a couple of marquee players to compete for championships at the lower levels of college basketball. But transferring is much easier now and players do not need to sit out a year anymore. They can also earn money based on their celebrity. Those two factors have made it more likely for smaller programs to lose top players to Division I powerhouse schools. That's tough for smaller schools. Coaches coming off 20-win seasons could be left rebuilding their rosters or even fighting for their jobs if they struggle.UNDATED (AP) — Many top college basketball programs have turned to the transfer portal to fill out rosters. It gives them an opportunity to add a veteran player instead of having to teach freshmen. This has a ripple effect: Recruits outside the top 75 players are seeing less interest from high-major programs. The shift has allowed mid-major schools to sign higher-ranking recruits. Even smaller schools are able to recruit players who previously never would have looked their way.

BIG Ten Conference Update

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos are trading star-crossed pass rusher Bradley Chubb to Miami for a package that includes the Dolphins' first-round draft pick next year.

The Broncos (3-5) also get running back Chase Edmonds and a 2024 fourth-rounder from the Dolphins (5-3), who are getting a 2025 fifth-rounder from Denver.

Chubb's departure comes a year after the Broncos traded franchise sacks leader Von Miller, who helped the Rams win the Super Bowl in February before signing with the Buffalo Bills this offseason.

“Decisions like this are not easy,” GM George Paton said after a record-setting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-vikings-buffalo-bills-jacksonville-jaguars-miami-dolphins-san-francisco-49ers-b2c8a6d7bd8994e4681afbc47dae07f8">dozen players</a>&nbsp;were dealt on NFL trade deadline day. “... but ultimately we always have to do what’s best for the team. And we don’t make this decision if we’re not confident in the players and the coaches on this team.”

Paton said the depth at edge rusher was strong enough for him to part with Chubb, and "the draft value was significant. We just believed it was too good to pass up at the end of the day. And it’s no secret we need picks. It’s going to help us continue to build our football team.”

The Broncos went 3-6 after Miller's exit and Paton said he wanted fans and players alike to know this is no surrender.

“We believe in this football team,” Paton said. “We believe in our leadership. We believe in our depth.”

He also believes his lurching offense is going to come around.

Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler also were coveted by other teams, but Paton chose to keep his receiving group intact as the team tries to develop more chemistry on offense.

“We wanted to keep our young, talented receivers," Paton said. "We started to get some rhythm in our last game versus Jacksonville and we just feel good about where we're going. We're trending in the right direction with Jeudy and Hamler and Courtland (Sutton) and we didn't want to break that up.”

Paton worked out a secondary deal in acquiring fifth-year pass rusher Jacob Martin from the New York Jets in a trade that included an exchange of 2024 draft picks with the Broncos giving up a fourth-rounder and the Jets a fifth-rounder.

The first-round pick Paton obtained in the Chubb trade is the one that the Dolphins acquired from San Francisco that allowed the 49ers to move up and draft quarterback Trey Lance in 2021.

The Dolphins forfeited their own 2023 first-round selection and a third-round selection in the 2024 draft after an NFL investigation found that Miami violated the league’s anti-tampering policy regarding communication with Tom Brady.

Chubb was the fifth overall pick in the 2018 draft, a key part of Denver's stellar defense and a locker room leader, although some Broncos fans still smart over John Elway's bypassing of Wyoming QB Josh Allen, who went two picks later to Buffalo.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/denver-broncos-nfl-sports-bradley-chubb-45c7d719442c3b3ae5cc1ceff7a95c6d">Chubb has 5½ sacks</a>&nbsp;this season — although none in the past three weeks — and a pair of forced fumbles after coming off his first fully healthy offseason since his rookie year when he had a career-best 12 sacks playing alongside Miller.

With the Broncos (3-5) off to a bad start under the Nathaniel Hackett-Russell Wilson coupling, Paton found more value in what he could get for Chubb in next April's draft than in the production he'd get from the former North Carolina State star over the next nine games.

Even if the Broncos' record were flipped, Paton said, “we would have made the trade regardless. We just felt the value was too good. ... Moving forward, we have other holes to fill on the offensive side of the ball.”

Paton had traded away his first- and second-round picks this year and next in the blockbuster deal that brought Wilson over from Seattle last spring.

By avoiding the megadeal on the horizon had he kept Chubb, Paton now has the financial flexibility to re-sign rising defensive line star Dre'Mont Jones to a big extension. “He is one of our core players," Paton said. “We want him here a long time."

Chubb said last week that the speculation he was a top trade target was “kind of cool,” in that “it lets you know that I’m playing good ball where other teams notice it as well.” But he added that he preferred to stay “in Denver long term. I've got my house. I got everything. I'm comfortable.”

Chubb is making nearly $14 million on his fifth-year option this season. But his career features almost as many missed games (25) as sacks (26).

He missed most of last season following surgeries on both ankles to remove bone spurs and didn't have a single sack in seven games upon his return. He also missed most of 2019 with a torn ACL, but bounced back in 2020 with a Pro Bowl season.

Chubb's departure comes at a time the Broncos are hurting in the pass rush department with Randy Gregory (knee) and Baron Browning (wrist) on IR. Paton said Gregory probably won't be ready to return for Denver's next game, at Tennessee on Nov. 13.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667359988955.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos are trading star-crossed pass rusher Bradley Chubb to Miami for a package that includes the Dolphins' first-round draft pick next year.The Broncos (3-5) also get running back Chase Edmonds and a 2024 fourth-rounder from the Dolphins (5-3), who are getting a 2025 fifth-rounder from Denver.Chubb's departure comes a year after the Broncos traded franchise sacks leader Von Miller, who helped the Rams win the Super Bowl in February before signing with the Buffalo Bills this offseason.“Decisions like this are not easy,” GM George Paton said after a record-setting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-vikings-buffalo-bills-jacksonville-jaguars-miami-dolphins-san-francisco-49ers-b2c8a6d7bd8994e4681afbc47dae07f8">dozen players</a>&nbsp;were dealt on NFL trade deadline day. “... but ultimately we always have to do what’s best for the team. And we don’t make this decision if we’re not confident in the players and the coaches on this team.”Paton said the depth at edge rusher was strong enough for him to part with Chubb, and "the draft value was significant. We just believed it was too good to pass up at the end of the day. And it’s no secret we need picks. It’s going to help us continue to build our football team.”The Broncos went 3-6 after Miller's exit and Paton said he wanted fans and players alike to know this is no surrender.“We believe in this football team,” Paton said. “We believe in our leadership. We believe in our depth.”He also believes his lurching offense is going to come around.Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler also were coveted by other teams, but Paton chose to keep his receiving group intact as the team tries to develop more chemistry on offense.“We wanted to keep our young, talented receivers," Paton said. "We started to get some rhythm in our last game versus Jacksonville and we just feel good about where we're going. We're trending in the right direction with Jeudy and Hamler and Courtland (Sutton) and we didn't want to break that up.”Paton worked out a secondary deal in acquiring fifth-year pass rusher Jacob Martin from the New York Jets in a trade that included an exchange of 2024 draft picks with the Broncos giving up a fourth-rounder and the Jets a fifth-rounder.The first-round pick Paton obtained in the Chubb trade is the one that the Dolphins acquired from San Francisco that allowed the 49ers to move up and draft quarterback Trey Lance in 2021.The Dolphins forfeited their own 2023 first-round selection and a third-round selection in the 2024 draft after an NFL investigation found that Miami violated the league’s anti-tampering policy regarding communication with Tom Brady.Chubb was the fifth overall pick in the 2018 draft, a key part of Denver's stellar defense and a locker room leader, although some Broncos fans still smart over John Elway's bypassing of Wyoming QB Josh Allen, who went two picks later to Buffalo.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/denver-broncos-nfl-sports-bradley-chubb-45c7d719442c3b3ae5cc1ceff7a95c6d">Chubb has 5½ sacks</a>&nbsp;this season — although none in the past three weeks — and a pair of forced fumbles after coming off his first fully healthy offseason since his rookie year when he had a career-best 12 sacks playing alongside Miller.With the Broncos (3-5) off to a bad start under the Nathaniel Hackett-Russell Wilson coupling, Paton found more value in what he could get for Chubb in next April's draft than in the production he'd get from the former North Carolina State star over the next nine games.Even if the Broncos' record were flipped, Paton said, “we would have made the trade regardless. We just felt the value was too good. ... Moving forward, we have other holes to fill on the offensive side of the ball.”Paton had traded away his first- and second-round picks this year and next in the blockbuster deal that brought Wilson over from Seattle last spring.By avoiding the megadeal on the horizon had he kept Chubb, Paton now has the financial flexibility to re-sign rising defensive line star Dre'Mont Jones to a big extension. “He is one of our core players," Paton said. “We want him here a long time."Chubb said last week that the speculation he was a top trade target was “kind of cool,” in that “it lets you know that I’m playing good ball where other teams notice it as well.” But he added that he preferred to stay “in Denver long term. I've got my house. I got everything. I'm comfortable.”Chubb is making nearly $14 million on his fifth-year option this season. But his career features almost as many missed games (25) as sacks (26).He missed most of last season following surgeries on both ankles to remove bone spurs and didn't have a single sack in seven games upon his return. He also missed most of 2019 with a torn ACL, but bounced back in 2020 with a Pro Bowl season.Chubb's departure comes at a time the Broncos are hurting in the pass rush department with Randy Gregory (knee) and Baron Browning (wrist) on IR. Paton said Gregory probably won't be ready to return for Denver's next game, at Tennessee on Nov. 13.

Broncos deal defensive star to Dolphins for 1st-round pick

<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/alexis-markowski/43975">Alexis Markowski</a>&nbsp;produced a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while fellow post&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/isabelle-bourne/43966">Isabelle Bourne</a>&nbsp;pitched in 12 points and eight rebounds, as Nebraska worked its way to a 70-27 exhibition women's basketball win over Washburn at Pinnacle Bank Arena&nbsp;on Sunday afternoon.&nbsp; Markowski, a preseason first-team All-Big Ten choice, hit 7-of-10 shots from the field for the game, including 5-of-7 in the first half. In the second period, she went on a 9-0 run in a 2:16 stretch to turn a 21-11 Nebraska lead into a 30-11 advantage. Bourne extended the NU run with her second three-pointer of the game before adding another basket to help the Huskers cap an 18-0 second-quarter run. That Big Red surge allowed Nebraska to take a 42-13 lead to halftime. Bourne (3) and Markowski (2) also combined for five of Nebraska's seven blocked shots on the day, while both added steals.&nbsp; Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/annika-stewart/43974">Annika Stewart</a>&nbsp;pitched in nine points off the bench for the Big Red, as the Huskers outscored the Ichabods 38-14 in the paint. In the backcourt, sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/kendall-moriarty/43973">Kendall Moriarty</a>&nbsp;scored seven points while adding three rebounds and three assists.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/allison-weidner/43971">Allison Weidner</a>&nbsp;contributed six points and six rebounds, while&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/maddie-krull/43965">Maddie Krull</a>&nbsp;added six points of her own on a pair of three-pointers. All-Big Ten guard&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jaz-shelley/43970">Jaz Shelley</a>&nbsp;managed four points and a game-high four assists in just 23 minutes, while&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/trinity-brady/43967">Trinity Brady</a>&nbsp;added five points, four boards and two assists. Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/callin-hake/43710">Callin Hake</a>&nbsp;rounded out the scoring for Nebraska with three points to go along with six rebounds and a pair of assists in just 15 minutes.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/kendall-coley/43968">Kendall Coley</a>&nbsp;also contributed three rebounds, two assists and two steals. As a team, Nebraska hit 41.5 percent (27-65) of its shots from the field, including 8-of-23 three-pointers (.348). The Huskers held Washburn to just 17.8 percent (8-45) shooting, including just 1-of-16 three-pointers. Aubree Dewey led the Ichabods with eight points, while freshman Gabi Artis pitched in seven points. Nebraska controlled the boards, 49-33, and won the turnover battle, 21-10. Prior to Sunday's game, Nebraska Coach&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/amy-williams/8362">Amy Williams</a>&nbsp;announced that graduate guard&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/sam-haiby/43972">Sam Haiby</a>&nbsp;underwent surgery on Thursday. At that time, it was determined that Haiby's knee injury was not as severe as originally expected. Haiby could return for the 2022-23 season, but a timeline for her return has not been set.&nbsp; Nebraska opens its regular season on Monday, Nov. 7, by playing host to Omaha at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Tip-off is set for noon, following the Nebraska Life Skills Sportsmanship Pep Rally earlier in the morning (9:30 a.m.) at PBA. The event, produced in cooperation with the Nebraska High School Hall of Fame, will feature inspirational messages from University of Nebraska administrators, student-athletes and coaches across many sports to more than 2,000 middle-grade students from 40 school districts across the state of Nebraska.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Story by NU Athletic Communications<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/alexis-markowski/43975">Alexis Markowski</a>&nbsp;produced a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while fellow post&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/isabelle-bourne/43966">Isabelle Bourne</a>&nbsp;pitched in 12 points and eight rebounds, as Nebraska worked its way to a 70-27 exhibition women's basketball win over Washburn at Pinnacle Bank Arena&nbsp;on Sunday afternoon.&nbsp; Markowski, a preseason first-team All-Big Ten choice, hit 7-of-10 shots from the field for the game, including 5-of-7 in the first half. In the second period, she went on a 9-0 run in a 2:16 stretch to turn a 21-11 Nebraska lead into a 30-11 advantage. Bourne extended the NU run with her second three-pointer of the game before adding another basket to help the Huskers cap an 18-0 second-quarter run. That Big Red surge allowed Nebraska to take a 42-13 lead to halftime. Bourne (3) and Markowski (2) also combined for five of Nebraska's seven blocked shots on the day, while both added steals.&nbsp; Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/annika-stewart/43974">Annika Stewart</a>&nbsp;pitched in nine points off the bench for the Big Red, as the Huskers outscored the Ichabods 38-14 in the paint. In the backcourt, sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/kendall-moriarty/43973">Kendall Moriarty</a>&nbsp;scored seven points while adding three rebounds and three assists.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/allison-weidner/43971">Allison Weidner</a>&nbsp;contributed six points and six rebounds, while&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/maddie-krull/43965">Maddie Krull</a>&nbsp;added six points of her own on a pair of three-pointers. All-Big Ten guard&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/jaz-shelley/43970">Jaz Shelley</a>&nbsp;managed four points and a game-high four assists in just 23 minutes, while&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/trinity-brady/43967">Trinity Brady</a>&nbsp;added five points, four boards and two assists. Freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/callin-hake/43710">Callin Hake</a>&nbsp;rounded out the scoring for Nebraska with three points to go along with six rebounds and a pair of assists in just 15 minutes.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/kendall-coley/43968">Kendall Coley</a>&nbsp;also contributed three rebounds, two assists and two steals. As a team, Nebraska hit 41.5 percent (27-65) of its shots from the field, including 8-of-23 three-pointers (.348). The Huskers held Washburn to just 17.8 percent (8-45) shooting, including just 1-of-16 three-pointers. Aubree Dewey led the Ichabods with eight points, while freshman Gabi Artis pitched in seven points. Nebraska controlled the boards, 49-33, and won the turnover battle, 21-10. Prior to Sunday's game, Nebraska Coach&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/amy-williams/8362">Amy Williams</a>&nbsp;announced that graduate guard&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/sam-haiby/43972">Sam Haiby</a>&nbsp;underwent surgery on Thursday. At that time, it was determined that Haiby's knee injury was not as severe as originally expected. Haiby could return for the 2022-23 season, but a timeline for her return has not been set.&nbsp; Nebraska opens its regular season on Monday, Nov. 7, by playing host to Omaha at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Tip-off is set for noon, following the Nebraska Life Skills Sportsmanship Pep Rally earlier in the morning (9:30 a.m.) at PBA. The event, produced in cooperation with the Nebraska High School Hall of Fame, will feature inspirational messages from University of Nebraska administrators, student-athletes and coaches across many sports to more than 2,000 middle-grade students from 40 school districts across the state of Nebraska.&nbsp; &nbsp;