WBB: Game #5 @ UCLA

The No. 15 Nebraska women’s basketball team will complete a three-game non-conference swing against Pac-12 competition when the Huskers head to Los Angeles to take on UCLA Friday afternoon.

Tip-off between the Big Red (4-0) and the Bruins (0-3) is set for 3 p.m. (central) at Pauley Pavilion.

Nebraska will take aim at a sweep of its three Pac-12 foes, after running to a 66-43 win over Utah. Although the season is in just its third week the Huskers have already accomplished a rare feat in Nebraska women’s basketball history by winning each of their first four games by at least 20 points. In fact, the only other Husker team to accomplish the feat was the 2009-10 squad that opened the season with 30 consecutive wins. No Nebraska team has ever opened a season with five consecutive 20-point wins.

Nebraska’s 4-0 start to the season marks the 17th time in history the Huskers have opened with four straight wins.

UCLA has opened the season 0-3, but have played one of the nation’s toughest schedules. As a team, UCLA is shooting 39.5 percent from the field, including 27.6 percent from three-point range. The Bruins are shooting a solid 74.4 percent at the line, but have been outscored 70-58 at the stripe and opponents have attempted 23 more free throws, an average of 7.7 more attempts per game.

UCLA is surrendering 83.3 points and carry a minus-0.7 rebound margin and minus-6.3 team turnover margin. However, the Bruins are holding opponents to just 37.4 percent shooting, including 32.8 percent from three-point range. UCLA leads the all-time series with Nebraska, 4-2.

Probable starters:

Nebraska Cornhuskers

3 - Hailie Sample - 6-1 - Sr. - F - 7.8 ppg

23 - Emily Cady - 6-2 - Sr. - F - 13.8

1 - Tear’a Laudermill - 5-9 - Sr. - G - 12.5

13 - Brandi Jeffery - 5-7 - Sr. - G - 11.3

33 - Rachel Theriot - 6-0 - Jr. - G - 17.0

UCLA Bruins

10 - Kacy Swain - 6-3 - Jr. - F - 4.7 ppg

13 - Luiana Livulo - 6-3 - Sr. - C - 4.0

2 - Kari Korver - 5-9 - So. - G - 9.3

3 - Jordin Canada - 5-6 - Fr. - G - 10.7

21 - Nirra Fields - 5-9 - Jr. - G - 22.0

Nebraska junior Rachel Theriot was one of 25 candidates on the initial Wade Watch List and one of 30 preseason candidates for the 2015 John R. Wooden Award

Emily Cady owns 1,109 points, 820 rebounds, 233 assists and 113 steals. Only one player (Janel McCarville, Minnesota, 1,835 points, 1,206 rebounds, 310 assists) in Big Ten history has ever produced 1,500 points, 1,000 rebounds and 300 assists in a career.

Emily Cady’s 1,109 career points rank No. 19 in Husker history. She needs just seven points at UCLA to catch Meggan Yedsena.

Brandi Jeffery is playing the best basketball of her career, averaging 11.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals in four games as a starter to open the season. Jeffery will play in her 100th career game on Friday at UCLA, while making her 14th career start.

Nebraska moved up to No. 15 in both The Associated Press and the USA Today Coaches Poll after two weeks of regular-season play.

GAME NOTES:

Photo caption: Tee's going home for Thanksgiving!