Lincoln ? Keasha Cannon-Johnson scored six of her 16 points in a 14-0 run spanning both halves, as Nebraska improved to 5-1 on the season with an 81-58 win over Texas-Arlington in front of 1,628 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center Saturday evening.
Cannon-Johnson, who reached double figures just twice in the Huskers’ first five contests, posted her first double-double of the year and seventh of her career with 16 points and 12 rebounds, as the Huskers fended off a pesky UTA squad before taking control.
"This was Keasha’s best game overall," Nebraska Coach Connie Yori said. "It was her best defensive game of the season, especially in the second half, and she did a great job of rebounding. She was able to do some more scoring tonight off the dribble with her jumper."
Cannon-Johnson, who also had three assists, three steals and a pair of blocks in 30 minutes, was one of six Huskers to finish in double figures in the victory. Margaret Richards finished with a game-high 18 points, while Alexa Johnson finished with 11 points.
NU also received strong performances off the bench by freshman Chelsea Aubry, who nearly recorded a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds, and freshman Kiera Hardy finished with 10 points, including a pair of three-pointers, and three assists in just nine minutes in her first appearance since Nov. 23.
The first half was a see-saw battle, with six ties and six lead changes before the Huskers seized control in the closing minutes. Leading 35-33, Nebraska, which had not led by more than five until that point, closed the half with a 10-0 run in the last 1:57 to take a 45-33 halftime advantage. Cannon-Johnson then opened the second half with two quick baskets to extend Nebraska’s lead to 49-33.
Nebraska led by as many as 18 points, at 53-35, before UTA made a run of its own, scoring 13 unanswered points to close to within 53-48 on a layup by LaToya Lewis at the 12:05 mark.
UTA, which fell to 2-4 with the loss, would get no closer, as Richards’ three-pointer sparked a 16-5 Husker run, pushing NU’s lead to 14 with less than five minutes remaining. The senior from Louisville, Ky., was 4-of-9 shooting, but hit all eight free throws as she finished in double figures for the fifth time in six contests.
"When they cut the lead to five, Keasha and Margaret did a great job of stepping up," Yori said. "They hit shots when we needed them, and they did a great job on the defensive end and on the boards."
Nebraska thwarted any hopes by UTA on the defensive end, holding the Lady Mavs to just three field goals in the final five minutes in finishing with a comfortable 22-point victory. The Huskers, who enjoyed a 45-35 advantage on the glass, shot 49 percent from the floor, while holding UTA to just 38 percent shooting. In addition to placing six players in double figures, NU had 21 assists ? including eight by point guard Jina Johansen ? on its 28 made field goals.
Krystal Buchanan and Sheena Johnson both finished in double figures, scoring 14 and 11 points, respectively.
The Huskers return to action on Friday, Dec. 12, when they host No. 14 Ohio State at 7:05 p.m. at the Devaney Center.