No. 21 Nebraska women’s basketball dominated in an 85-48 win over North Alabama Tuesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena, but the win may have been costly.
Natalie Potts, the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year and the Huskers’ leading scorer and rebounder through four games, sustained a non-contact, possibly severe lower body injury in the second quarter and did not return to the game, and had to be helped to the locker room. Nebraska coach Amy Williams after the game said that there was no immediate determination as to how long Potts would be out, or if she could return this season at all.
The injury dampened an otherwise great showing for the Huskers (5-0), who led 15-4 after one quarter. The four points allowed by Nebraska were the fewest allowed by NU in a quarter in school history. The Huskers continued a run from late in the first quarter that ultimately stretched to a 14-0 run through early second quarter action. Back-to-back three-pointers by Kendall Moriarty sparked an additional 12-0 run, and Nebraska led 34-11 with 2:20 to go until halftime. The Huskers led 36-16 at half and were never seriously challenged after that.
In Potts’ absence, Callin Hake scored a career high 17 points on 5-for-7 shooting, while draining all six of her free throws. Jessica Petrie tacked on a career high 13 points. Britt Prince and Alberte Rimdal both added 13 points as well, while Alexis Markowski contributed 10 points. Nebraska held the Lions (2-3) to just 28.8 percent shooting.
Nebraska now prepares to play Creighton (1-2) Friday at 4 p.m. in Omaha.