WBB: Game #20 vs Michigan State

The Nebraska women's basketball team welcomes No. 25 Michigan State to the Bob Devaney Sports Center for the first time on Thursday night. Tip-off between the Huskers (13-6, 3-3 Big Ten) and the Spartans (16-2, 4-1 Big Ten) is set for 7:05 p.m.

Nebraska returns to the Devaney Center hoping to build momentum after an impressive 84-63 win at Minnesota on Sunday evening. The Huskers got their most complete effort of the season, led by season highs of 26 points and seven rebounds along with seven assists from senior point guard Lindsey Moore. Jordan Hooper added 17 points and eight boards, while Emily Cady contributed her third Big Ten double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Freshman point guard Rachel Theriot pitched in 13 points and a career-high eight assists to earn her second Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Week award on Jan. 22.

The Spartans bring plenty of momentum of their own to Lincoln for their first appearance at the Devaney Center. Michigan State has won three straight after a 56-46 victory at Indiana Sunday. The Spartans are one of the biggest and most balanced teams in the Big Ten. Coach Suzy Merchant's squad owns a plus-16.3 scoring margin, a plus-10 rebound margin and a plus-2.1 turnover margin this season.

One of the traditional Big Ten powers in women's basketball, Michigan State is closing in on its 10th straight 20-win season and is bidding for its 10th NCAA Tournament bid in the last 11 years. As a team, the Spartans are shooting just 38.3 percent from the field in the Big Ten, including 25 percent from three-point range. They have hit 68.5 percent (74-108) of their free throws, but have attempted an average of 7.4 more free throws per game than their Big Ten opposition. Michigan State's greatest strength is on the glass, where the Spartans own a dominant plus-11.2 rebounding edge in Big Ten action. The Spartans' strength on the glass has helped them be a solid team away from the Breslin Center this year. MSU is 7-1 away from home, including 5-1 in true road games and 2-0 in road Big Ten contests.

The Huskers hope to even up the series with MSU. The Spartans won the first meeting with Nebraska last season.

Probable Starters:

Nebraska Cornhuskers

3 - Hailie Sample - 6-1 - So. - F

23 - Emily Cady - 6-2 - So. - F

35 - Jordan Hooper - 6-2 - Jr. - F

00 - Lindsey Moore - 5-9 - Sr. - G

24 - Rachel Theriot - 6-0 - Fr. - G

Michigan State Spartans

24 - Courtney Schiffauer - 6-1 - RSr. - F

11 - Annalise Pickrel - 6-3 - Jr. - F

52 - Becca Mills - 6-4 - So. - F

1 - Jasmine Thomas - 5-7 - Sr. - G

21 - Klarissa Bell - 5-11 - Jr. – G

Emily Cady is one of just two Big Ten players averaging a double-double in league play

Rachel Theriot added the best all-around game of her young career with 13 points and a career-high eight assists against just one turnover. Theriot hit 5-of-8 shots from the field, including 3-of-5 three-pointers.

Senior All-America candidate Lindsey Moore is expected to make the 118th consecutive start of her career against Michigan State. The 5-9 point guard from Covington, Wash., has started every game of her career since leading the Huskers to a perfect 29-0 regular-season record and the Big 12 title as a freshman. Moore owns an 82-35 record as Nebraska's starting point guard and has guided the Huskers to a pair of NCAA Tournaments.

Huskers Host No. 25 Spartans Thursday huskers.com