Freshman (2002-03)
Jessie Runty joined the Nebraska women's basketball team in mid-October after the start of fall practice. A 5-7 guard from Elkhorn, Neb., Runty was a 2001 graduate of Millard North High School. She originally signed a national letter of intent to play at Pacific but did not attend the Stockton, Calif., school.
She was enrolled at Nebraska Wesleyan in Lincoln during the 2001-02 academic year, but she did not compete in basketball for the Prairie Wolves.
Runty joined walk-ons Kala Sledge and Lacey Hanson as newcomers that earned scholarships for the second semester at Nebraska in 2002-03. Runty was the most productive of the NU newcomers, averaging 1.5 points and 0.7 rebounds per game. She knocked down 5-of-21 three-pointers on the year, including a 3-for-5 effort against Texas-Pan American. Runty scored a career-high 11 points and grabbed a rebound in the loss to the Broncs on Jan. 5 in Lincoln.
She played in her first career game against New Orleans on Dec. 22, the first of four straight games she played in before the Huskers opened Big 12 Conference action. She made 11 appearances in league play, including her only career start against No. 5 Kansas State in Manhattan on Feb. 12, when she connected on a three-pointer and pulled down a career-best three rebounds. She played a career-high 18 minutes at No. 10 Texas on Feb. 22.
High School
Runty helped Millard North to the state semifinals in the Nebraska Class A (largest) Tournament in 2001. She averaged 13 points and six assists per game for Coach Jeff Ritz. She was a two-time member of the Daubert-Pinnacle Bank All-Star team and played in the Nebraska Senior All-Star game after her senior season. She lettered four years in basketball and three years in track and field. Runty was also a strong student and very active in the community during high school. She was an honor roll student, a Bible school teacher, a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and she coached a YMCA third grade basketball team.
Personal
The daughter of Steve and Jeannie Runty, Jessie was born July 30, 1982, in Elkhorn, Neb. Her father Steve lettered in football at Nebraska in 1972 and 1973, and her brother, Jay, was also a quarterback for the Huskers until transferring to Nebraska-Omaha. Runty majored in elementary education and married former Nebraska linebacker Chad Sievers.
Runty's Career Statistics
Year
G-GS
FG-FGA
Pct.
3P-3PA
Pct.
FT-FTA
Pct.
TRB-Avg.
PF-D
A
TO
Blk
ST
Pts-Avg.
2002-03 15-1 8-26 .308 5-21 .238 1-3 .333 11-0.7 10-0 3 5 0 2 22-1.5Career
15-1
8-26
.308
5-21
.238
1-3
.333
11-0.7
10-0
3
5
0
2
22-1.5