Austin, Texas - The Nebraska women's basketball team got off to a slow start and never recovered, as No. 17 Texas rolled to a 83-53 win over the Huskers at the Erwin Center on Wednesday night.
With the loss, Nebraska slipped to 14-8 overall and 6-4 in Big 12 action, while the Longhorns improved to 14-7 overall and 7-3 in the league. The loss snapped the Huskers' three-game winning streak.
The Longhorns raced out of the gate to start the game, firing to a double-digit lead at 13-2 after a trio of Jamie Carey free throws just over four minutes into the game. The Texas lead grew as large as 19 points on three occasions in the first half, including UT's 43-24 halftime edge.
The Huskers struggled from the field in the first half, hitting just 37.5 percent of their shots, while missing all six of their three-point attempts in the half. Chelsea Aubry was NU's primary offensive and defensive weapon in the first half, scoring eight points while pulling down seven rebounds in a solid first half, while Danielle Page added six first-half points.
NU's leading scorer Kiera Hardy, struggled from the floor in the first half, hitting just 1-of-6 shots to finish the half with just four points.
While the Huskers were struggling, Texas had all its guns firing with Tiffany Jackson and Carey each scoring 12 first-half points, while Heather Schreiber added nine points and Nina Norman pitched in seven points, as the Longhorn starters combined for 40 points in the opening period.
The news did not get better for the Huskers in the second half, as the Longhorns scored the first two points in the second half to push the lead past 20 points for the first time, and NU was unable to knock the lead under 19 points the rest of the night. The Texas edge grew as large as 29 points in the second half, as UT's hot shooting continued.
For the game, Texas hit 47.6 percent (30-63) of its shots, including 44.4 percent (8-18) of its three-pointers. UT also hit 78.9 percent (15-19) of its free throws NU finished at 38.0 percent from the field, while hitting just 1-of-9 three-point attempts. The Huskers did hit 93.3 percent (14-15) of its free throws, but committed a season-high 25 turnovers and were outrebounded by the Longhorns, 37-31.
Jackson finished with a game-high 19 points and a team-best eight rebounds, while Carey contributed 18 points by hitting 5-of-8 three-pointers and converting a three-shot foul at the free throw line. Schreiber added 14 points, and Annissa Hastings scored 11 points off the bench to give the Longhorns four players in double figures.
"All the credit goes to Texas tonight," Nebraska Coach Connie Yori said. "We turned the ball over too much, and we did not do a good job in defensive transition. We also did not do a good job on the boards. You put all those things together with the great talent that Texas has and you are going to have a long night, especially if you don't shoot it well."
Hardy and Page led the Huskers with 13 points, while Aubry added 10 points and eight boards. Hardy extended her streak of games scoring in double figures to 18. Elena Diaz added a solid offensive effort with nine points. The rest of the Huskers totaled just eight points, including two points from Sarah White and Jessica Gerhart, who made her first appearance on the court since Jan. 29. Gerhart had her appendix removed on Feb. 1.
The Huskers return home on Saturday to take on No. 14 Iowa State at the Devaney Center at 7:05 p.m. Saturday's game with the Cyclones has been designated the first of two "Pack the Devaney" games this season, with Dollar Days in effect. For just $1, fans can purchase a general admission seat, while Pepsi products and hot dogs will also be available for just $1. To get your tickets, visit Huskers.com or call the Nebraska Athletic Ticket Office 1-800-8BIGRED.