Lincoln - All-America guard Nicole Kubik's 17 points and seven steals led four Huskers in double figures as Nebraska defeated Colorado, 79-66, in front of 3,561 fans at the Bob Devaney Sports Center on Wednesday.
Kubik was 6 of 10 from the floor while adding five rebounds and five assists, as the Huskers controlled the game from the start en route to improving to 10-7 on the season and 4-2 in the Big 12.
With the win over the Buffaloes, the Huskers completed a sweep of their three-game homestand, which pleased Husker coach Paul Sanderford.
"I was really proud of our defense and rebounding. Our pressure on their guards was the key, and offensively, I thought we moved the ball well and played unselfishly," Sanderford said. "It was another team win. I am proud of our team, and I am glad to get out of here with three straight wins."
Kubik and junior center Casey Leonhardt sparked the Huskers in the early going, combining for 11 of NU's first 15 points to help the Huskers jump to a 15-4 lead in the first eight minutes. The Buffaloes struggled from the floor the entire first half, missing 10 of their first 11 shots in the opening 10 minutes. The Husker defense held Colorado to season lows in field goals (five) and points (19) in the first half.
"I thought Kubik and Leonhardt had their best games of the year," Sanderford said. "Casey was dominant tonight, especially in the first half."
Leonhardt posted her fifth double-double of the season, finishing with 13 points and 11 rebounds while adding three blocks and three assists. The Huskers are 5-0 on the season when Leonhardt produces a double-double.
"Leonhardt was a problem for us," Colorado Coach Ceal Barry said. "She was one player that I thought we could matchup with, but she got too many easy baskets."
CU, which fell to 6-11 overall and 1-5 in the Big 12, cut the Husker lead to 25-17 on a Mandy Nightingale 3-pointer, but the Huskers responded with an 11-2 run, triggered by five of Brooke Schwartz's 16 points, to close the first half with a 36-19 advantage.
"The biggest problem for us was their quickness," said Barry, whose team committed 26 turnovers en route to dropping to 1-5 in league play for the first time since 1984-85.
The Huskers continued to build on their advantage, leading by as many as 27 points at 70-43, before the Buffaloes cut the margin to 13 in the final six minutes.
The Huskers received good production off the bench as Amanda Went finished with 12 points, while tying a career high with four 3-pointers. Freshman Paige Sutton added eight points in the second half to help the Huskers' cause.
Nightingale led CU with 15 points, but was just 3-of-10 from the floor and committed 11 turnovers. Kami Carmann and Britt Hartshorn each added 12 points for the Buffaloes.
The Huskers travel to Manhattan, Kan., to take on Kansas State on Sunday, Jan. 30, at 1 p.m. The game will be televised live by FOX Sports Net.