Lincoln - Nicole Kubik and Brooke Schwartz combined for 12 points in a 23-0 run early in the second half as Nebraska built a 19-point lead and withstood a furious Washington rally to post an 89-86 victory in front of 3,020 fans at the Bob Devaney Sports Center Monday evening.
Trailing 48-44, the Huskers held Washington without a point for 7:14, as the Huskies missed 13 straight shots from the floor and committed five turnovers, as Kubik, who narrowly missed a triple double with a season-high 23 points and 10 assists, recorded four of her career-high tying nine steals.
While the Huskies were struggling offensively, Nebraska opened up the half hitting 11 of its first 12 shots to build a 67-48 lead with 13:53 remaining.
"We dictated tempo with our defense in the second half and that is what we have to do," Nebraska Head Coach Paul Sanderford said. "Right now, our half court defense is not very good, so we have to get things done with our press."
"Its great to get the win," said Kubik, who helped NU break a two-game losing streak at home. "We really needed to get the confidence back. Once we got the game speeded up, the crowd got into it. When the crowd gets into it, we get pumped up. We just need to feed off of this win and continue to play hard, and hopefully, we'll continue to dominate on our home court."
Kubik's 23 points led four Huskers (3-2) in double figures, as junior center Casey Leonhardt finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while senior forward Charlie Rogers and Schwartz added 14 and 12 points, respectively.
The Huskers held a double-figure lead for much of the half and led 88-79 with 1:49 left before Washington began its final spurt. Megan Franza, who finished with a career-high 26 points, triggered a 9-1 run with a 3-pointer and cut the Husker lead to 89-86 on a put-back with five seconds left.
"I was really disappointed in our team down the stretch," Sanderford said. "We stopped doing the things we did to get the 20-point lead in the last seven minutes."
Loree Payne finished with 22 points and six assists, while Kellie O'Neill chipped in 16 points and a game-high 11 rebounds as Washington out-rebounded the Huskers 41-36.
The Huskers return to action this Thursday, Dec. 9, when Nebraska takes on BYU at 7:05 p.m.