Aarden's Honors
- CableVision Classic All-Tournament Team (1994-95, 1995-96)
- 1994-95 Honorable Mention All-Big Eight
- 1994-95 Phillips 66 First-Team Academic All-Big Eight
- 1993-94 Big Eight Academic Honor Roll
- 1992-93 Big Eight Academic Honor Roll
Senior (1995-96)
Pyra Aarden helped the Huskers return to the NCAA Tournament in the 1995-96 season earning a spot in the starting lineup 23 out of NU's 28 games. As one of the tallest and strongest players in NU history, Aarden dominated opponents under the basket, grabbing 5.9 rebounds per game and 12.8 points per game.
Aarden shot an impressive 59.2 percent from the field through the season and blocked a team-best 15 shots. Aarden produced double-digit scoring in 22 of the 28 games she played in, scoring a season-high 22 points in Nebraska's 79-58 win over Oklahoma in Norman, Okla., and also recorded two double-doubles for the season.
Junior (1994-95)
One of the most improved players in the Big Eight, Aarden led the cnference in rebounding (9.3) and field goal percentage (59.8). She earned All-Big Eight honorable mention after she increased her scoring averaged from 5.9 in 1993-94 to 14.0 last season.
On December 10, she exploded for 36 points and 20 rebounds against Bowling Green, both career-highs. In the Bowling Green game, she also set season-highs in field goal attempts (20), and field goals made (15). For her performance, she earned Big Eight Player-of-the-Week honors. Against Missouri, Aarden hit 14 of 17 free throws, setting school records for attempts in a game and tied the school record for free throws made.
Starting 23 out of 27 contests, Aarden posted double figures in scoring 22 times and finished as the team leader in field goals made (146), free throws made (85) and attempted (170) rebounds (252) personal fouls (81), blocks (24) and points (377).
Sophomore (1993-94)
One of the most improved players on the team, Aarden's offensive out-put increased throughout the season, finishing fifth on the team averaging 5.9 points. Aarden played in all 30 games, started 10 and was a team leader in field goal percentage, making 52.2 percent of her attempts.
Aarden was second on the team with 5.5 rebounds per game, recorded double figures in seven games and had two double-figure rebound games. She finished second on the squad with 21 blocked shots and recorded 14 steals and six assists.
Freshman (1992-93)
Aarden played in 22 of Nebraska's 31 games and averaged one point and 1.4 rebounds. Hitting 11-of-24 shots from the field for a 45.8 shooting percentage, Aarden also managed 1.4 rebounds per game and 1.0 point per game.
High School
Aarden was a three-year starter at Hudson (Wis.) High School and earned AAU All-State honors. She also earned All-Big River Conference honors two times. Aarden averaged 13 points, 10.5 rebounds, eight assists, 2.2 blocked shots and established school season records with 128 offensive and 232 total rebounds in her senior season.
Personal
Aarden is the daughter of Piet and Yvonne Aarden. She graduated in 1996 as a sociology major.
Aarden'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.
1992-9322-0
11-24
.458
0-0
.000
1-11
.091
30-1.4
15-0
2
6
3
1
23-1.0
1993-9430-10
70-134
.522
0-0
.000
38-79
.481
165-5.5
68-1
6
44
21
14
178-5.9
1994-9527-23
146-244
.598
0-0
.000
85-170
.500
252-9.3
81-2
16
57
24
20
377-14.0
1995-96 28-23 132-223 .592 0-0 .000 93-148 .628 164-5.9 75-2 9 66 15 14 357-12.8Career
107-56
359-625
.574
0-0
.000
217-408
.531
611-5.7
239-5
33
173
63
49
935-8.7