WBB: Game #9 @ California

Radio: Husker Sports Network (Matt Coatney, Jeff Griesch)
Saturday's Stations

• KBBK 107.3 FM, Lincoln
• KXPN 590 AM, Omaha
• KHUB 1340 AM, Fremont
• KHAS 1230 AM, Hastings
• KRVN 880 AM, Lexington
• KNCY 1600 AM/105.5 FM, Nebraska City
• KHAQ 98.5 FM, North Platte
• KNEB 94.1 FM, Scottsbluff
  

Social Media: @HuskersWBB Nebraska Women's Basketball Instagram
Free Live Audio: Huskers.com
Live Premium Video: Pac-12 Networks

Huskers Head West to Clash with Cal Saturday

The Nebraska women’s basketball team returns to non-conference road action Saturday when the Huskers take on No. 22 California. Tip-off for the first-ever game between the Big Red and the Golden Bears is set for 7 p.m.

The Huskers head to California after completing a perfect 3-0 home stand with an 85-40 dismantling of Evansville. Freshman Jessica Shepard led four Huskers in double figures with 18 points, seven rebounds and three assists. A three-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week, Shepard leads the Huskers with 19.3 points and 7.9 rebounds per game through the first eight games of her career.

California enters the game with Nebraska ranked No. 22 nationally by the Associated Press and No. 21 in the USA Today Coaches Top 25. The Golden Bears carry a 6-2 record with their only setbacks coming to No. 10 Texas A&M and last Saturday at home to Saint Mary’s.

Saturday’s matchup will feature two of the nation’s top freshmen posts, as California’s 6-4 forward Kristine Anigwe is averaging 20.0 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. Anigwe scored 70 points and grabbed 24 rebounds in 50 total minutes in two games last week, including 43 points and 12 boards in just 23 minutes in a 117-99 win over Sacramento State. Anigwe went 18-for-24 from the field.

As a team, Cal is scoring 75.4 points, but surrendering 69.2 points per game. The Bears are shooting 47.1 percent from the field, including 36.4 percent from three-point range. However, they have hit just 65.2 percent of their free throws. They carry a plus-6.7 team rebounding margin, but a minus-3.8 team turnover margin.

Saturday’s meeting will be the first-ever between Nebraska and California in women’s basketball.

Probable Starters:

Nebraska Cornhuskers

43 - Rachel Blackburn - 6-3 - Fr. - F - 6.1 ppg
32 - Jessica Shepard - 6-4 - Fr. - F - 19.3
4 - Kyndal Clark - 5-7 - RSr. - G - 4.5
5 - Natalie Romeo - 5-7 - So. - G - 14.8
33 - Rachel Theriot - 6-0 - Sr. - G - 10.5

California Golden Bears

3 - Mikayla Cowling - 6-2 - So. - F/G - 12.0 ppg
24 - Courtney Range - 6-3 - Jr. - F - 13.3
31 - Kristine Anigwe - 6-4 - Fr. - F/C - 20.0
1 - Asha Thomas - 5-4 - Fr. - G - 12.4
33 - Gabby Green - 6-2 - So. - G - 6.1

• Nebraska is 20-0 against California teams in Coach Connie Yori’s 14 seasons in Lincoln.

• Rachel Theriot needs just nine points to move into the top 20 in school history on the all-time scoring list. She enters Saturday’s game with 1,107 points.

• Rachel Theriot needs five assists to become the fifth player in Nebraska history to reach 500 in her career.

• Jessica Shepard has scored in double figures in eight straight games to open her career.

• Jessica Shepard scored the 100th point of her career faster than any other Husker (Game 5).

• Rachel Blackburn leads the Big Red with 8.1 rebounds through the first eight games.

• Maddie Simon was growing her game quickly as a key contributor in the Husker lineup before suffering a broken arm in a fall outside of basketball activities. She is expected to miss several weeks.

GAME NOTES: