Huskers Celebrate Big Red Tip-Off

The Nebraska men’s and women’s basketball programs hit the floor for the first time together on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at Big Red Tip-Off at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

The fun family-friendly event included 15-minute scrimmages by both the men’s and women’s teams and a head-to-head three-point contest between the two programs.

Nebraska women’s basketball Coach Connie Yori and men’s basketball Coach Tim Miles both addressed the thousands of fans who filled the arena for the free event before the Husker women took the floor.

"Thanks to Coach Miles and the men's basketball program for inviting us to be part of this great event," Yori said. "I think it was a good opportunity to put our uniforms on and get out and play in front of people in our building. A lot of our new players were nervous, so it will be good to use this event and our two exhibition games the next two Sundays to get more comfortable."

In the 15-minute, continuous-clock scrimmage, senior guard Tear'a Laudermill and senior forward Emily Cady led the Red team to a 24-19 victory. Laudermill pumped in 12 points, including a pair of three-pointers, while Cady added seven points including a three. Freshman Kaylee Page buried a three while fellow freshman Natalie Romeo added a transition layup to round out the scoring for the Reds. 

The White team was led by eight points from junior guard Rachel Theriot, while senior guard Brandi Jeffery contributed six points. Senior forward Hailie Sample and freshman guard Emily Wood each pitched in two points, while freshman post Darrien Washington rounded out the scoring for the Whites with one point.

In the three-point contest, Cady won the competition by defeating Walter Pitchford from the men's team, 12-11, in the final. Cady advanced to the final round by hitting 11 threes in the first round to defeat Theriot and Laudermill, who each hit nine threes.

In the men's first round, Pitchford hit 16 threes while Andrew White connected on 10. First-team All-Big Ten guard Terran Petteway connected on nine threes.

After the men competed in their 15-minute, continuous-clock scrimmage, the two teams wrapped up the night with an autograph session at the arena.

The Husker women will open exhibition play against Wayne State College on Sunday at 2 p.m. Single-game and season tickets are available now at Huskers.com.