This Week in Husker Women s Basketball

Transcription

1 WOMEN S BASKETBALL SID Contact: Jeff Griesch Office Phone: (402) Cell Phone: (402) Fax Number: (402) jgriesch@huskers.com schedule/results (14-4, 3-1) Date Opponent Time/Result Nov. 1 Nebraska-Kearney (exhibition) W, Nov. 5 Nebraska-Omaha (exhibition) W, Nov. 9 UTEP (HuskersNside) W, Nov. 11 Mississippi (HuskersNside) W, Nov. 17 Florida (Huskers.com/Toys for Tots) W, Nov at Oahu Classic (Honolulu, Hawaii) Nov. 23 vs. Marist L, Nov. 24 vs. Utah L, Nov. 25 vs. Akron W, Nov. 30 Creighton (HuskersNside) W, Dec. 2 Robert Morris (HuskersNside) W, Dec. 8 USC (HuskersNside) W, Dec. 13 at Cal State Bakersfield W, Dec. 15 at Long Beach State W, Dec. 22 at #18 Ohio State (HuskersNside) L, Dec. 30 Denver (Huskers.com) W, Jan. 2 Arkansas-Pine Bluff (HuskersNside) W, Jan. 9 #15 Texas (HuskersNside)^ W, Jan. 12 Kansas (FSN/Alumni)^ W, Jan. 16 at #11 Oklahoma (SSN/DirecTV Ch. 25)^ L, Jan. 19 at Iowa State (HuskersNside)^ W, Jan. 23 #21 Texas A&M (FSN Midwest/Huskers.com)^ 7:05 p.m. Jan. 26 at Baylor ^ 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 Kansas State (HuskersNside)^ 7:05 p.m. Feb. 3 at Missouri (FSN)^ 3 p.m. Feb. 6 at Colorado (FSNRM)^ 9 p.m. Feb. 10 Oklahoma State (ESPN2/Red Cross)^ 1:15 p.m. Feb. 17 at Kansas (ESPN360/Think Pink)^ 2 p.m. Feb. 21 Missouri (FSNMW/Huskers.com/$ Days)^ 7:05 p.m. Feb. 24 at Texas Tech^ 2 p.m. Feb. 27 at Kansas State (FSNMW)^ 7 p.m. March 2 Colorado (HuskersNside)^ 2:05 p.m. March 5 Iowa State (HuskersNside/Senior Night)^ 7:05 p.m. March at Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship (Municipal Auditorium - Kansas City, Mo.) All times listed are Central. ^- Denotes Big 12 Conference game. FSN - Fox Sports Net National TV; FSNMW - FSN Midwest TV; FSNRM - FSN Rocky Mountain TV; SSN - Sooner Sports Network TV; HuskersNside - Premium video stream on Huskers.com for subscribers; Huskers.com - Free video stream on Huskers.com for all users; All Nebraska games can be heard live on the Husker Sports Network, including 98.1 FM KFGE in Lincoln and for free on Huskers.com. Home games in bold at the Devaney Center. This Week in Husker Women s Basketball Game 19 Nebraska Cornhuskers (14-4, 3-1) vs. #21 Texas A&M Aggies (13-5, 1-3) Bob Devaney Sports Center (13,595) Lincoln, Neb. Wednesday, Jan. 23 7:05 p.m. Hollywood Night (Promotion) Television: FSN Midwest (Ch. 37 in Lincoln; DirecTV Ch. 648; Dish Network Ch. 447) Radio: Husker Sports Network (98.1 FM-KFGE, Lincoln, 1110 AM-KFAB, Omaha, 880 AM-KRVN, Lexington) Live Internet Audio: Huskers.com (free) Live Internet Video: Huskers.com (free) HUSKERS.COM Huskers Take Aim at Defending Big 12 Champion Texas A&M The Nebraska women s basketball team (14-4, 3-1 Big 12) hopes to continue to build momentum as the Huskers head into the second quarter of conference play when they take on defending Big 12 co-champion Texas A&M (13-5, 1-3) on Wednesday. Tip-off with the No. 21 Aggies at the Devaney Center is set for 7:05 p.m., with live television coverage provided by FSN Midwest on Channel 37 in Lincoln, DirecTV Channel 648 and Dish Network Channel 447. The game can also be seen with a free live video feed on Huskers.com, as FSN s Greg Sharpe and Brenda Van Lengen call the action. Wednesday s clash between the Huskers and Aggies can also be heard on the 24-station Husker Sports Network, including 98.1 FM-KFGE in Lincoln, 1110 AM-KFAB in Omaha and 880 AM-KRVN in Lexington. Huskers.com will also carry a free live audio broadcast with Matt Coatney and Jeff Griesch calling the action. Nebraska puts an 11-game home winning streak on the line against Texas A&M, including a perfect 10-0 mark at the Devaney Center this season. The Huskers have been one of the Big 12 s best teams at home this season, a title previously held by the Aggies. Texas A&M had its nation-leading 26-game home winning streak snapped by Kansas State to open the conference season, and dropped its second straight home decision to No. 18 Oklahoma State on Saturday afternoon. Texas A&M comes to Lincoln hungry for a win after opening Big 12 play with a 1-3 record, with its other loss coming at Baylor, and its lone win coming at No. 25 Colorado last Wednesday. While the Aggies will be hoping for a road win, the Huskers will be looking for a measure of redemption after suffering a narrow road loss at College Station last season. Kiera Hardy s five-foot scoop shot from the right side rolled off the back of the rim as time expired, allowing Texas A&M to improve to 11-0 at Reed Arena last season. The loss was just NU s second Big 12 loss of the year, dropping NU to 4-2 in the league, while snapping the Huskers school-record 10-game road winning streak Nebraska Cornhuskers No. Name Pos. Ht. Cl. Hometown (High School/Other School) Worth Noting 5 Kaitlyn Burke G 5-7 Fr. North Vancouver, B.C. (National Elite Development Academy) Leads Nebraska with 23 3FG and 51 assists (2.8 apg) 11 Nicole Neals* G 5-6 So. Chandler, Ariz. (St. Mary s) One of Nebraska s most improved players (13 3FG) 13 Kala Kuhlmann* G 5-8 So. Charter Oak, Iowa (Charter Oak-Ute) 2006 Iowa Athlete of the Year; 4.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg in Big Monique Whittaker G 5-10 Fr. Onalaska, Texas (Livingston) Texas All-Stater, averaged 20.9 ppg, 9.9 rpg in Yvonne Turner* G 5-8 So. Omaha, Neb. (Bellevue East) 2006 WBCA HS All-American; 11.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.5 spg in Big Kelsey Griffin** F 6-2 Jr. Eagle River, Alaska (Chugiak) 2007 First-Team All-Big 12; 15th Husker with 1,000 pts., 500 reb. (career) 24 Dominique Kelley G 5-7 Fr. Lincoln, Neb. (Northeast) 2007 Nebraska Player of the Year; 15 pts., 9 reb. vs. Denver 32 Tay Hester G 5-10 Jr. Moreno Valley, Calif. (Perris/UTEP/Mt. San Antonio College) MVP of 2007 Calif. State JUCO Tourn.; 13 pts., 12 reb., vs. UTEP 35 Jessica Periago C 6-4 Fr. Toulon, France (National Sport School) French Senior National Team 40 Cory Montgomery* F 6-2 So. Cannon Falls, Minn. (Cannon Falls) Big 12 s best off the bench; 11.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg; 13 games in double figures 42 Nikki Bober* C 6-4 So. Murdock, Neb. (Elmwood-Murdock) One of NU s most improved players; 2.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg in Big Catheryn Redmon C 6-3 Fr. Grand Prairie, Texas (Mansfield Timberview) No. 14 Post Player in the Nation in 2006; 9 pts., 3 reb. vs. Akron 52 Danielle Page*** F 6-2 Sr. Monument, Colo. (Lewis-Palmer) No. 2 at NU in Career Blocks (175); Big 12 Player of the Week (11/12) Head Coach: Connie Yori, Sixth Year (Creighton, 1986), (18th season overall) (Sixth season at Nebraska) Assistant Coaches: Sunny Smallwood, Third Year (Boise State, 1983); Tory Verdi, Third Year (Keene State, 1996); Kellie Lewis-Jay, First Year (Boise State, 1998) Director of Operations: Angela Timmons, Sixth Year (Creighton, 2001); Administrative Assistant/Video Coordinator: Steph Clark, Fourth Year (Creighton, 1993)

2 Nebraska Women s Basketball Page 2 Texas A&M Jan. 23, 2008 Huskers.com Wednesday s Probable Starters Nebraska Cornhuskers (14-4, 3-1) No. Player Ht. Yr. Pos. PPG RPG 23 Kelsey Griffin 6-2 Jr. F Danielle Page 6-2 Sr. F Yvonne Turner 5-8 So. G Dominique Kelley 5-7 Fr. G Tay Hester 5-10 Jr. G Off the bench 40 Cory Montgomery 6-2 So. F Kaitlyn Burke 5-7 Fr. G Nicole Neals 5-6 So. G Kala Kuhlmann 5-8 So. G Catheryn Redmon 6-3 Fr. C Nikki Bober 6-4 So. C Head Coach: Connie Yori (Creighton, 1986) Sixth Season at NU (99-73); 18th Season Overall ( ) #21 Texas A&M Aggies (13-5, 1-3) No. Player Ht. Yr. Pos. PPG RPG 55 Danielle Gant 5-11 Jr. G/F Patrice Reado 6-0 Sr. F La Toya Micheaux 6-3 Jr. C Takia Starks 5-8 Jr. G A Quonesia Franklin 5-3 Sr. G Off the bench 21 Morenike Atunrase 5-10 Sr. G/F Damitria Buchanan 6-2 So. F Sydney Colson 5-8 Fr. G/F Ashlaa Horton 6-1 So. F LaToya Gulley 5-8 Sr. G Head Coach: Gary Blair (Texas Tech, 1974) Fifth Season at A&M (86-55); 23rd Season Overall ( ) Inside the Numbers Nebraska Texas A&M Scoring Average Opponent Scoring Average Scoring Margin Field Goal Percentage 46.6% 40.5% Opponent FG Percentage 37.9% 38.5% 3FG Percentage 31.0% 31.0% Opponent 3FG Percentage 33.2% 23.8% Free Throw Percentage 64.6% 68.3% Opponent FT Percentage 73.6% 69.8% Rebound Margin Assists Per Game Turnovers Per Game Turnover Margin Blocks Per Game Steals Per Game Nebraska vs. Texas A&M History Nebraska Leads 12-6 Last 10 Meetings: Tied, 5-5 Last Nebraska Win: NU, 73-59, Feb. 16, 2005 Last Nebraska Win in Lincoln: NU, 65-48, Jan. 17, 2004 Last Meeting: A&M, (College Station, Jan. 24, 2007) First Meeting: NU, 71-64, Feb. 27, 1981 (College Station) Largest A&M Margin: 19 (69-50, Feb. 11, 2006 in Lincoln) Largest Nebraska Margin: 14 (Two Times, Last in 2005) Nebraska Nuggets: TEam Notes 4Nebraska is off to a 3-1 start in Big 12 play for the fourth time in the last five years. Last year the Huskers started the season 4-1 before suffering a setback at Texas A&M. 4NU climbed to No. 18 in the CollegeRPI.com power rankings this week. The Huskers own four wins over top-50 RPI teams and all four of NU s losses have come against top-40 RPI foes. NU is one of nine Big 12 teams in the top 50, and all 12 Big 12 teams are ranked among the RPI s top 100. The Big 12 is the best conference in the nation according to CollegeRPI.com. 4Nebraska s will shoot for its fourth consecutive win over a top-25 opponent at the Devaney Center. NU defeated then-no. 15 Texas to open Big 12 to post its third straight home win over a top-25 foe. Nebraska defeated No. 13 Baylor, 76-67, in an FSN national telecast on Feb. 3, 2007, after running past No. 25 Kansas State, 70-63, on Jan. 17, The Huskers are 10-0 at the Devaney Center this season, outscoring opponents by 19.6 points per game ( ). NU is also plus-8.5 on the boards at home. Nebraska s home schedule has included traditional NCAA powers Texas, USC, Mississippi, Florida and Kansas. UTEP, which is 12-2 this season, is the only team to play Nebraska within single digits at home this year. 4Connie Yori shoots for her 100th win as Nebraska's head coach on Wednesday night. Yori owns a win at Nebraska, including a record over the last four-plus seasons. Yori needs six more victories to reach 300 in her 18-year career as a head coach. 4Nebraska's win over Iowa State at Hilton Coliseum ended a 10-year losing streak to the Cyclones in Ames. NU's last win had come on Jan. 30, 1997, in Angela Beck's final year as the Husker head coach. 4NU set a school-record with 11 three-pointers in the win at Iowa State. The Huskers have hit 10 or more threepointers on five occasions against the Cyclones. 4Nebraska's 45 points allowed in a win over No. 15 Texas were the fewest scored by a top-25 opponent in school history against the Huskers. 4Nebraska (30-32) and Kansas (7-8) combined to hit 37-of-40 free throws in the Huskers last home game. The 92.5 percent free throw shooting was the best combined mark by both teams in Husker history, surpassing a 34-of-37 effort (91.9 percent) between Nebraska (18-19) and Oklahoma (16-18) in the Sooners win at the Lloyd Noble Center on Feb. 5, With a halftime score of 19-17, Nebraska's win over No. 15 Texas tied for the lowest-scoring first half combined by both teams in school history. It matched a 1979 defensive struggle with Oklahoma. The 36 points represent the lowest total in more than 1,000 games in school history. 4Nebraska is the only team in the Big 12 without a player among the top 30 in minutes. Through four Big 12 games, 156 players saw more than 30 minutes of action in at least one game. Danielle Page is the only Husker to play more than 30 minutes in a game (31 vs. KU, 30 vs. OU). Husker Hype: Individual Notes 4Kelsey Griffin enjoyed a strong return to the court to open Big 12 play after sitting out Nebraska s final four non-conference games with a rib injury. The first-team All-Big 12 forward posted her second double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds in NU s win over No. 15 Texas, before adding a game-high 15 points and six rebounds in a win over Kansas. She added 16 points at Iowa State to average team-bests of 12.8 points and 6.5 boards per game in league action. 4Griffin is tied for 17th on Nebraska s career scoring list with 1,074 points. She needs 15 points to catch Nafeesah Brown in 17th place on the list with 1,089. 4Danielle Page has blocked a shot in 14 straight games and 17 of 18 games this season. She has 46 on the year and 175 in her career to rank No. 2 all-time at Nebraska. 4Page s seven blocks against Kansas marked the second time in six games that the 6-2 forward had produced seven in a game, joining her seven-block effort at Cal State Bakersfield on Dec. 13. Page has blocked seven or more shots three times in the last 28 games, including a school-recond nine-block effort against Baylor on Feb. 3, A defensive star for the Huskers, Yvonne Turner has recorded 22 steals over NU s last five games, including six steals against No. 15 Texas and five steals against Kansas. Turner turned the tide for NU in the second half against UT, scoring all nine of her points after halftime to turn a NU deficit into a lead late in the game. At Oklahoma, Turner erupted for a career-high 18 points. Turner owns at least one steal in 13 straight games, with Jan Monday Practice 9:30-11:45 a.m. (Lift - 11:45 a.m.) (Scout - 9 a.m.) Media Availability Players (Noon) Coach Yori Not Available Jan Tuesday Practice 4-6 p.m. Media Availability 2:30 p.m. Jan Wednesday Shoot-around 2:40-3:40 p.m. Game Day Nebraska vs. Texas A&M Devaney Center, 7:05 p.m. Live Radio: Husker Sports Network (Huskers.com - Free) Live TV: FSN Midwest DirecTV Ch. 648 Dish Network Ch. 447 Jan Thursday Practice 4-6:30 p.m. (Scout 4:35) Media Availability Players (2:30 p.m.) Connie Yori Radio Show 7 p.m. Jan Friday Practice 4-6 p.m. (Lift 3:30 p.m.) Media Availability 2:30 p.m. Depart Lincoln: 7 p.m. Charter Flight For Waco, Texas Jan Saturday Shoot-around 11 - Noon Game Day Nebraska at Baylor Ferrell Center, 7 p.m. Live Radio: Husker Sports Network (Huskers.com - Free) Jan Sunday No Practice

3 Nebraska Women s Basketball Page 3 Texas A&M Jan. 23, 2008 Huskers.com two or more steals in 11 of those contests. She needs just six more steals to crack Nebraska s sophomore singleseason steals list. 4Turner has 52 steals on the year, which is 16 more steals than NU s leader - Kelsey Griffin - had in Offensively, Turner has produced double figures in four of the last eight games and is averaging 11.0 points per game in Big 12 action. She hit 6-of-9 three-point attempts last week, after opening the season 7-for-38 in the first 16 contests. 4Cory Montgomery, who started NU s last four non-conference games in place of Kelsey Griffin, came off the bench to score 21 points and grab eight boards at Iowa State. It was Montgomery s 13th game in double figures this season. Montgomery is the only non-starter in the Big 12 to rank among the top 30 players (25th) in scoring. Nebraska Ranks High in CollegeRPI.com Top 50 The Big 12 Conference is the No. 1 league in the nation according to the most recent CollegeRPI.com rankings with all 12 teams ranked in the CollegeRPI.com Top 100, including nine in the top 50. Nebraska is ranked No. 18. Nebraska s game against Texas A&M will mark its 10th game this season against a top-50 RPI team according to CollegeRPI.com. The Aggies, who entered the week at No. 24, will be Nebraska s fifth straight top-50 RPI opponent in a streak of seven straight games against top-50 RPI teams. After battling A&M on Wednesday, the Huskers hit the road to face RPI No. 8 Baylor in Waco, Texas, on Jan. 26. The Huskers then come back home to face No. 34 Kansas State on Jan. 30. The Huskers are 5-4 against the CollegeRPI.com Top 50, including wins over No. 22 Kansas, No. 29 UTEP, No. 32 Iowa State, No. 39 Texas and No. 41 Florida. NU has suffered top-50 RPI setbacks to No. 10 Oklahoma, No. 23 Ohio State, No. 35 Utah and No. 36 Marist. Huskers Playing Huge at Home to Open Season Nebraska has enjoyed great success at home during non-conference action. Not only have the Huskers bolted to a 10-0 start at the Bob Devaney Sports Center, they have done it in dominant fashion. The Huskers are shooting 47.3 percent on their homecourt this season, leading to a scoring average of 75.7 points per game. NU has outscored the opposition by an average of 19.6 points at home, holding opponents to 56.1 points per game. Husker foes are shooting just 34.4 percent from the field in Lincoln. The Huskers also own a plus-8.5 rebounding margin and a plus-2.1 team turnover margin at home. Those numbers are made even more impressive considering the strength of Nebraska s home schedule early in the season. The only team to play the Huskers within single digits was UTEP (81-74). The Miners, who won 22 games last season, are off to a 14-2 start and ranked No. 29 according to CollegeRPI.com, with their only other loss coming on the road at Kansas State. Along with its most recent wins over No. 15 Texas (56-45) and Kansas (71-51), Nebraska sprinted to an victory over 2007 NCAA Elite Eight qualifier Mississippi, before galloping past the Florida Gators, NU defeated in-state rival Creighton, 79-65, after leading by 30 points midway through the second half, before rolling to a win over 2007 NCAA Tournament participant Robert Morris. The Huskers cruised to an win over traditional power USC, before notching their most lopsided win of the year with a win over a Denver club that was coming off a 20-win season in Scouting The No. 21 Texas A&M Aggies Coach Gary Blair brings his No. 21 Texas A&M club to Lincoln looking to rejoin the hunt in the Big 12 race. The defending Big 12 co-champs lost three of their first four league contests with home losses to conference unbeatens Kansas State (67-54) and Oklahoma State (61-58), and a road loss at league unbeaten Baylor (59-56). Nebraska s Roster in Depth No. Player Ht. Cl. Pos. G-GS PPG RPG APG SPG BPG 5 Kaitlyn Burke 5-7 Fr. G Nicole Neals 5-6 So. G Kala Kuhlmann 5-8 So. G Monique Whittaker 5-10 Fr. G Yvonne Turner 5-8 So. G Kelsey Griffin 6-2 Jr. F Dominique Kelley 5-7 Fr. G Tay Hester 5-10 Jr. G Jessica Periago 6-4 Fr. C Cory Montgomery 6-2 So. F Nikki Bober 6-4 So. C Catheryn Redmon 6-3 Fr. C Danielle Page 6-2 Sr. F Husker Pronunciation Guide Nikki Bober BO-ber Kala Kuhlmann KAY-luh KOOL-man Jessica Periago PAIR-ee-ah-go Husker Homes The 13 members of the Husker women's basketball team come to Nebraska from three countries, including eight states across America. Alaska (1): Kelsey Griffin Arizona (1): Nicole Neals California (1): Tay Hester Colorado (1): Danielle Page Iowa (1): Kala Kuhlmann Minnesota (1): Cory Montgomery Nebraska (3): Nikki Bober, Dominique Kelley, Yvonne Turner Texas (2): Catheryn Redmon, Monique Whittaker Canada (1): Kaitlyn Burke France (1): Jessica Periago Huskers By Class Senior (1): Danielle Page Juniors (2): Kelsey Griffin, Tay Hester Sophomores (5): Nikki Bober, Kala Kuhlmann, Cory Montgomery, Nicole Neals, Yvonne Turner Freshmen (5): Kaitlyn Burke, Dominique Kelley, Jessica Periago, Catheryn Redmon, Monique Whittaker Huskers By Major Accounting: Cory Montgomery Biological Sciences: Kelsey Griffin Business Administration: Nicole Neals Communications: Danielle Page Education: Yvonne Turner General Studies: Nikki Bober, Kaitlyn Burke, Kala Kuhlmann, Jessica Periago, Monique Whittaker Pre-Veterinary Science: Catheryn Redmon Psychology: Tay Hester Sports Management: Dominique Kelley Nebraska Women s Basketball Radio and Television Shows The Nebraska Women s Basketball Show with Coach Connie Yori and host Jeff Griesch, will air for the first time on WOWT, Channel 6 in Omaha on Sunday night, Dec. 9 and on Monday evenings on KOLN/KGIN (My TV) in Lincoln. For a complete listing of airtimes, please visit Huskers.com and click on Coaches Show on the women s basketball home page. Coach Yori s radio show with host Matt Coatney tipped off on Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 7:30 p.m. The show moved to Thursday nights and expanded to one hour starting at 7 p.m. on Nov. 29.

4 Nebraska Women s Basketball Page 4 Texas A&M Jan. 23, 2008 Huskers.com Head Coach Connie Yori (Creighton, 1986) (99-73, Sixth Season at NU) ( , 18th Season) NCAA Division III Season School Won Lost Pct Loras College Loras College Totals 2 seasons NCAA Division I Creighton Creighton Creighton Creighton Creighton Creighton Creighton Creighton Creighton Creighton Nebraska Nebraska Nebraska Nebraska Nebraska Nebraska Div. I Totals 16th season Overall 18th season Yori in the Postseason Year (Tournament) Results 2007 (NCAA) L, Temple, (WNIT) L, at Kansas State, W, at Wyoming, W, Drake, (WNIT) L, Iowa, W, Marquette, (WNIT) L, Oregon State, W, Drake, (NCAA) L, Fla. International, (WNIT) L, at Kansas State, (NCAA) W, Bowling Green, L, Texas Tech, Noting Coach Yori First coach in Nebraska history to lead the Huskers to four consecutive postseason bids Seven all-time postseason tournament appearances Three NCAA Tournament appearances Led Huskers to second-highest win total in school history in (22) Led Nebraska to an average of 19 wins over the past four seasons Coached Huskers to four first-team All-Big 12 awards over past four seasons First Nebraska coach to have two first-team All-Big 12 players in the same season (Kiera Hardy, Kelsey Griffin ) Huskers have won two Nebraska Life Skills Team Awards honoring the NU team most committed to all areas of life skills and community involvement (2004, 2006) Huskers have finished among the top two teams in each of the four Life Skills Team Award competitions The Aggies did manage a win at a then-top 25 Colorado squad last Wednesday to sit in a seven-way tie for sixth place in the Big 12 standings at 1-3. Although wins have been hard to come by for Texas A&M in the past two weeks, the Aggies remain in the top 25, while posting the No. 14 ratings percentage index in the nation according to CollegeRPI.com. A&M has played the eighth-best schedule in the nation according to CollegeRPI.com. Junior guard Takia Starks continues to be one of the most explosive players in the league for the Aggies, averaging 17.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. She has knocked down 36.8 percent of her three-pointers (32-87). Junior forward Danielle Gant is also having a strong year, averaging 14.2 points and 7.2 boards per game, while shooting 52.6 percent from the field and 83.8 percent from the free throw line. Senior point guard A Quonesia Franklin provides leadership and stability for the Aggies by averaging 8.4 points and 5.1 assists per game. Franklin has hit 37.2 percent (29-78) of her three-pointers. Senior forward Patrice Reado (8.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg) and junior center La Toya Micheaux (4.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg) round out A&M s starting lineup. Morenike Atunrase, a senior swing player and former first-team All-Big 12 selection, has been slowed for much of the season by injury and has not been at 100 percent for the Aggies. She has appeared in just nine games with one start while averaging 8.1 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. The absence of Atunrase has led to appearances by Ashlaa Horton (1.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg), Damitra Buchanan (3.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and Sydney Colson (3.8 ppg, 1.3 rpg) in A&M s starting lineup. LaToya Gulley has also seen significant playing time for the Aggies. The Aggies has struggled somewhat offensively, averaging just 66.4 points per game, and just 60 points in their first four Big 12 games. They are shooting 46.6 percent from the field, 31 percent from three-point range and 64.6 percent at the line. The Aggies own a plus-4.9 team rebounding margin and a plus-1.6 turnover margin. Nebraska vs. Texas A&M Series History Nebraska leads the all-time series with Texas A&M 12-6, but the Aggies have won the last three meetings in the series, including A&M s win at College Station, Texas, on Jan. 24, In that game, Nebraska s Kiera Hardy had a five-footer from the right side roll off the rim as time expired to allow A&M to escape with the victory and end NU s school-record 10-game road winning streak. Kelsey Griffin led the Huskers with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds last year in College Station. NU hung with the Aggies down to the wire despite shooting just 34 percent from the field and hitting just 3-of-14 three-pointers. A&M managed just 36.9 percent shooting, but connected on 6-of-17 three-pointers. A Quonesia Franklin led the Aggies with 21 points, while Morenike Atunrase pitched 19 points off the bench. Nebraska s last win against the Aggies came in a win at the Devaney Center on Feb. 16, The last time Texas A&M ventured to Lincoln, the Aggies left with a victory on Feb. 11, HuskerS Shoot Past Cyclones in Ames Cory Montgomery tied her career high with 21 points and the Nebraska women s basketball team set a school record with 11 three-pointers in an victory over Iowa State at Hilton Coliseum on Saturday. With the victory, Nebraska snapped a 10-game losing streak at Hilton Coliseum dating back to Montgomery led five Huskers in double figures, including Kelsey Griffin who pumped in 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field, along with 13 points from Danielle Page on 5-of-7 shooting. Kaitlyn Burke added 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting from three-point range, while Yvonne Turner added 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Nebraska shot a season-high 57.9 percent (11-19) from three-point range, while matching its season-best shooting percentage overall at 57.1 percent (32-56). The Huskers also set a season-high with 25 assists, while committing just 14 turnovers. The Cyclones hit 50 percent of their shots from the field, including 7-of-17 three-pointers. ISU also outscored NU 15-7 at the free throw line by attempting 13 more shots (22-9) than the Huskers at the stripe. Freshman Kelsey Bolte led four Cyclones in double figures with 20 points and six rebounds in her second career start, while junior Heather Ezell added 19 points. Alison Lacey managed 12 points, while Denae Stuckey pitched in 10 points. Jocelyn Anderson rounded out ISU s starting five with eight points and a game-high 10 boards. The Huskers shot out to a tremendous start, hitting 8-of-9 field goal attempts, including each of their first four three-pointers to jump out to a 20-5 lead in the first six minutes. Burke provided a major lift off the bench by burying her first three three-pointers in the first eight minutes. Dominique Kelley, Page and Turner added first-half three-pointers for the Huskers. The Huskers went to the locker room with that nine-point advantage at 43-34, despite Griffin, Page, Montgomery, Nikki Bober and Tay Hester being whistled for two first-half fouls. The Cyclones started quick in the second half by scoring the first five points to trim NU s edge to just 43-39, the closest it had been since the opening minute of the game. But Nebraska answered with a basket from Hester, back-to-back shots from Griffin, a free throw from Turner and five straight points from Montgomery to cap a 12-3 surge and take a lead with 14 minutes left. Iowa State answered again with 11 straight points over the next three minutes to surge within 55-53, before Turner buried a three-pointer with 11:08 left. Turner s three sparked a 10-0 NU run that included another triple by Turner with 8:45 left. Nebraska maintained a 10-point lead after a Montgomery jumper with 6:38 left, but ISU rallied again to cut NU s edge to with 5:02 left on a pair of Ezell free throws. An Ezell jumper with 2:09 left kept the Cyclones within striking distance at 75-68, before Burke connected on a three-pointer from the left wing with two minutes left to give the Huskers a 10-point cushion and their school-record 11th three-pointer of the night.

5 Nebraska Women s Basketball Page 5 Texas A&M Jan. 23, 2008 Huskers.com Huskers Ranking High in Early Big 12 Statistics The Huskers are off to a strong start through the first two weeks of the Big 12 Conference statistical rankings. In conference games only, Nebraska ranks among the top four teams in the league in scoring offense (third, 70.2 ppg), scoring defense (fourth, 62.0 ppg), scoring margin (fourth, +8.2), field goal percentage (third, 43.4 percent), three-point field goal percentage (third, 39.2 percent), field goal percentage defense (third, 38 percent), free throw percentage (first, 79.3 percent), assists (third, apg) and steals (third, 9.75 spg). Nebraska has shown solid balance across the board, ranking among the top seven teams in the league in every statistical category through four conference games. Griffin s Back and You re Gonna Be in Trouble First-team All-Big 12 forward Kelsey Griffin returned to Nebraska s starting lineup against No. 15 Texas after missing NU s last four non-conference games with a rib injury. Griffin announced her presence with authority by posting her second double-double of the season and 15th of her career with 13 points and 10 rebounds in the win over the Longhorns. She added a blocked shot and a pair of steals in 25 minutes of action. She led NU with 15 points and six boards in a home win over Kansas, before pumping in 16 points in the Huskers victory at Iowa State on Jan. 19. The 6-2 forward from Eagle River, Alaska, did not practice or play from Dec. 14 to Jan. 3, while trying to recover from a cracked rib suffered in NU s final exhibition game against Nebraska-Omaha on Nov. 5. Despite the injury, she has started 14 games and has taken a team-leading 13 charges. Lone Senior Page Leading Huskers Across the Board Nebraska senior Danielle Page ranks among Husker statistical leaders in several categories. The 6-2 forward from Monument, Colo., is averaging 12.0 points and team-best marks of 7.1 rebounds and 2.6 blocked shots per game. She ranks 22nd in the Big 12 in scoring, is tied for 17th in rebounds and ranks fourth in blocked shots. Page has scored in double figures 12 times this season, including a pair of 20-plus efforts. She erupted for a career-high 27 points in an win over Mississippi on Nov. 11, and averaged 23.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in NU s opening weekend. She earned the first Big 12 Conference Player-of-the-Week award on Nov. 12. Page added one of the best defensive efforts of her career when she pulled down 13 defensive rebounds, blocked seven shots and notched one steal in Nebraska s win over Cal State Bakersfield. She added seven more blocks to go along with eight points, seven boards, four assists and three steals in the win over Kansas. Against USC, Page had 21 points, eight rebounds and five blocks in in NU s win. Page produced her first double-double of the year and third of her career with 11 points and 10 rebounds in NU s win over Florida on Nov. 17. She nearly added her second straight double-double with 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field and nine rebounds in NU s loss to Marist on Nov. 23. She scored 14 points, grabbed six rebounds and tied a career high with four assists while blocking three shots in Nebraska s win over Robert Morris on Dec. 2. She added a 17-point effort in a win over Creighton that included five rebounds and three blocked shots on Nov. 30. Page pumped in 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a loss at No. 18 Ohio State on Dec. 22, before scoring 10 points and grabbing eight boards to go along with a season-high three steals in NU s run past Denver on Dec. 30. Last year, Page bounced back quickly from ACL surgery on her right knee on June 29, 2006, to appear in NU s first game. She enjoyed her best season, averaging 7.0 points and 5.5 rebounds, including a season-high 17 points against Kansas on Jan. 27. It was one of seven double-figure scoring performances for Page as a junior, including her second career double-double with 11 points and 10 boards in NU s win over No. 25 Kansas State on Jan. 17. Page showed her defensive dominance throughout the season by setting NU s junior single-season record with 60 blocked shots, including a record-setting nine blocks, while tying a career high with 11 rebounds in Nebraska s win over No. 13 Baylor on Feb. 3. Page s effort against the Lady Bears was one of the best individual defensive performances in school history. She tied the previous school record with seven blocks in just 13 first-half minutes, before adding a pair after halftime. She also grabbed nine defensive rebounds. She added a strong effort in the NCAA Tournament with eight points, a game-high eight rebounds and an NU NCAA Tournament record five blocks in a loss to Temple on March 18. She added 16 points, eight rebounds and two blocks in NU s overtime loss to Iowa State in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals (March 7). Page scored eight straight points at the end of regulation and the start of overtime, including a pair of free throws with 9.7 seconds left in regulation to give NU a lead over ISU. Montgomery May Be Big 12 s Best Off the Bench Although Cory Montgomery made four consecutive starts to close non-conference action, the 6-2 sophomore forward returned to her role as one of the Big 12 Conference s best off the bench for the start of league play against No. 15 Texas when first-team All-Big 12 forward Kelsey Griffin returned to the lineup. Montgomery continued to supply big minutes for the Huskers by scoring 10 points and grabbing six rebounds in the win over the Longhorns. She added 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds at No. 11 Oklahoma, before matching her career high with 21 points to go along with eight rebounds in just 23 minutes off the bench in NU s win at Iowa State on Jan. 19. Through 18 games, Montgomery ranks 25th in the Big 12 in scoring despite playing just 20.3 minutes per contest. Her presence on the league s scoring chart is notable, since she is the only player with fewer than 10 Nebraska Quick Facts Institution...University of Nebraska Location...Lincoln, Neb. Population ,167 Founded Nickname... Cornhuskers, Huskers Colors...Scarlet and Cream Home Arena...Bob Devaney Sports Center Capacity... 13,595 Conference...Big 12 Interim Athletic Director... Tom Osborne Overall Record Home Record Away Record Neutral Record Head Coach...Connie Yori Alma Mater/Year...Creighton/1986 Record at Nebraska... Sixth season (99-73) Career Record (18th season) NCAA Div. I Record (16th season) Home Record Big 12 Conference Record Big 12 Home Record Assistant Coaches...Sunny Smallwood, Tory Verdi...Kellie Lewis-Jay Director of Operations... Angela Timmons Administrative Assistant...Steph Clark Graduate Assistant Manager...Tia Davis Strength Coach...Rusty Ruffcorn Athletic Trainer... Dawn Wedeking Basketball Office Phone... (402) Basketball Office Fax... (402) Women s Basketball Contact...Jeff Griesch Media Relations Office Phone... (402) Griesch s Direct Line... (402) Griesch s Cell Phone... (402) Griesch s Home Phone... (402) Griesch s ... jgriesch@huskers.com Media Relations Fax... (402) Best Time to Contact Yori...Through Griesch Starters Returning/Lost...1/ Letterwinners Returning/Lost...7/ Newcomers... 6 visit D s Diary on Huskers.com Throughout the season, senior forward Danielle Page will be a regular contributor on Nebraska women s basketball home page on Huskers.com. D s Diary will feature Page s thoughts and experiences during her life as a Husker. To read D s Diary, just visit Huskers.com and select (W) Basketball from the drop-down menu under Teams. On the left-side menu items, click on D s Diary to find Page s most recent entries from the season.

6 Nebraska Women s Basketball Page 6 Texas A&M Jan. 23, 2008 Huskers.com Nebraska Individual Career Highs Scoring Player (Game, Date) Points Kelsey Griffin (vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 11/27/05) 31 Danielle Page (vs. UTEP, 11/11/07) 27 Cory Montgomery (at Iowa State, 1/19/08; vs. USC, 12/8/07) 21 Yvonne Turner (at Oklahoma, 1/16/08) 18 Dominique Kelley (vs. Florida, 11/17/07) 16 Kaitlyn Burke (at Cal State Bakersfield, 12/13/07) 15 Tay Hester (at Ohio State, 12/22/07) 14 Kala Kuhlmann (vs. Florida, 11/17/07) 11 Nikki Bober (vs. Florida Atlantic, 11/12/06) 10 Nicole Neals (vs. Minnesota, 12/5/06) 9 Catheryn Redmon (vs. Akron, 11/25/07) 9 Jessica Periago (at Long Beach State, 12/15/07) 5 Monique Whittaker (vs. Akron, 11/25/07) 4 Rebounding Player (Game, Date) Rebounds Kelsey Griffin (vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 11/27/05) 14 Danielle Page (at Cal State Bakersfield, 12/13/07) 13 Tay Hester (vs. UTEP, 11/9/07) 12 Cory Montgomery (vs. Robert Morris, 12/2/07) 11 Dominique Kelley (vs. Denver, 12/30/07) 9 Kaitlyn Burke (at Long Beach State, 12/15/07) 7 Yvonne Turner (at Iowa State, 1/19/08) 7 Nikki Bober (vs. Texas, 1/9/08) 6 Kala Kuhlmann (vs. Texas, 1/9/08) 6 Nicole Neals (vs. Michigan, 12/9/06) 6 Catheryn Redmon (Three Times, vs. UAPB, 1/2/08) 6 Monique Whittaker (vs. Akron, 11/25/07) 3 Jessica Periago (vs. Florida, 11/17/07) 2 Assists Player (Game, Date) Assists Kaitlyn Burke (at Cal State Bakersfield, 12/13/07) 7 Yvonne Turner (vs. Florida Atlantic, 11/12/06) 6 Kala Kuhlmann (vs. Florida, 11/17/07) 5 Nicole Neals (vs. Akron, 11/25/07; vs. Nicholls St., 12/21/06) 5 Kelsey Griffin (vs. Robert Morris, 12/2/07; vs. Northwestern, 12/16/06) 4 Tay Hester (Four Times at Ohio State, 12/22/07) 4 Dominique Kelley (Four Times, vs. Oklahoma, 1/16/08) 4 Danielle Page (Three Times, vs. Kansas, 1/12/08) 4 Nikki Bober (vs. Akron, 11/25/07) 3 Cory Montgomery (vs. Denver, 12/30/07) 3 Jessica Periago (vs. Akron, 11/25/07) 1 Catheryn Redmon (vs. Oklahoma, 1/16/08; vs. Florida, 11/17/07) 1 Steals Player (Game, Date) Steals Yvonne Turner (vs. UAPB, 1/2/08; vs. Florida, 11/17/07) 8 Kelsey Griffin (vs. Robert Morris, 12/2/07; vs. Iowa St., 2/1/06) 4 Tay Hester (vs. Denver, 12/30/07) 4 Danielle Page (Eight Times, vs. Kansas, 1/12/08) 3 Nikki Bober (vs. Texas, 1/9/08; vs. UTPA, 11/28/06) 2 Kaitlyn Burke (Five Times, 1/9/08) 2 Dominique Kelley (vs. UAPB, 1/2/08) 2 Kala Kuhlmann (at Iowa State, 1/19/08) 2 Cory Montgomery (vs. Florida Atlantic, 11/12/06) 2 Nicole Neals (vs. UTPA, 11/28/06; vs. FAU, 11/12/06) 2 Catheryn Redmon (Four Times, vs. UAPB, 1/2/08) 1 Blocked Shots Player (Game, Date) Blocks Danielle Page (vs. Baylor, 2/3/07) 9 Kelsey Griffin (at Kansas State, 2/4/06) 3 Catheryn Redmon (vs. Denver, 12/30/07; vs. Florida, 11/17/07) 2 Nikki Bober (Seven Times, vs. Texas, 1/9/08) 1 Kaitlyn Burke (vs. UAPB, 1/2/08) 1 Tay Hester (Three Times, vs. Robert Morris, 12/2/07) 1 Kala Kuhlmann (at KSU, 2/7/07; vs. OU, 1/6/07) 1 Cory Montgomery (Six Times, at Iowa State, 1/19/08) 1 Yvonne Turner (Five Times, vs. Denver, 12/30/07) 1 Minutes Played Player (Game, Date) Minutes Danielle Page (vs. Baylor, 1/12/05) 39 Kaitlyn Burke (at Cal State Bakersfield, 12/13/07) 34 Kelsey Griffin (at Kansas State, 2/4/06) 33 Cory Montgomery (at Ohio State, 12/22/07) 32 Tay Hester (vs. UTEP, 11/9/07) 31 Yvonne Turner (vs. UTEP, 11/9/07; vs. Texas Tech, 2/14/07) 30 Nicole Neals (vs. Minnesota, 12/5/06) 29 Dominique Kelley (vs. USC, 12/8/07) 27 Kala Kuhlmann (vs. Texas, 1/9/08) 24 Nikki Bober (vs. Denver, 12/30/07) 16 Catheryn Redmon (at Long Beach State, 12/15/07) 15 Jessica Periago (vs. Akron, 11/25/07) 10 Monique Whittaker (vs. Akron, 11/25/07) 10 starts on the list. Missouri s Jessra Johnson, who has started 10 of MU s 17 games, is the only other player among the top 30 scorers in the Big 12 who has not been a fixture in her team s starting lineup. Johnson, who is averaging 14.6 points per game, has started MU s last five games and is expected to be the Tigers regular starter in the post during conference play. Johnson is averaging 23.9 minutes per game for the Tigers. Montgomery gives the Huskers a trio of potent weapons inside, spelling both Danielle Page and Kelsey Griffin in NU s forward rotation. Montgomery is averaging 11.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, while shooting a team-best 53.4 percent from the field. She made her first career start in Nebraska s win at Long Beach State on Dec. 15, and scored 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field, including her fourth three-pointer of the season against the 49ers. She added 14 points and six rebounds in a career-high 32 minutes in her second career start at No. 18 Ohio State on Dec. 22. Montgomery also knocked down a career-best two three-pointers against the Buckeyes. She pumped in 17 points and pulled down eight rebounds in a win over Denver on Dec. 30, to produce her 10th double-figure scoring effort of the season. Montgomery came up big in Nebraska s victory over USC on Dec. 8, by scoring a career-high 21 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field to go along with six rebounds. She scored seven points in the final 3:14 to help NU turn a seven-point lead into an 18-point win, while scoring 14 of her game-high 21 points in the second half. In NU s win over Cal State Bakersfield, Montgomery scored nine points in the final eight minutes to help the Huskers surge to victory down the stretch. She hit 5-of-7 shots from the field for the game, missing only a pair of three-point attempts, to finish with 12 points. Montgomery produced the first double-double of her career with 16 points and a career-high 11 rebounds in Nebraska s win over Robert Morris on Dec. 2. She earned a spot on the five-player all-tournament team at the Oahu Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii, by averaging 10.3 points off the bench in three tournament games. Minimizing Minutes, Maximizing production Senior forward Danielle Page is leading the Huskers in playing time with 26.4 minutes per game. While she leads the Huskers, Page does not even crack the Big 12 s list of 30 leaders in playing time so far this season. In fact, Nebraska is the only team in the Big 12 that does not have a player who ranks among the top 30 in the league in minutes. The only other team with fewer than two players is Texas Tech (Dominic Seals, 29.3 mpg). Oklahoma and Kansas each have four players among the top 30 in the league in minutes played, while Baylor, Colorado, Iowa State, Missouri and Texas A&M each have three players listed among the top 30. Kansas State, Oklahoma State and Texas each have a pair of players logging big minutes. On the opening night of Big 12 action, 43 players around the league played at least 30 minutes, including four players who competed for the full 40. Page and Kaitlyn Burke led the Huskers with just 26 minutes each. Through four Big 12 games, 156 players have seen more than 30 minutes of action in at least one game. Danielle Page is the only Husker to play more than 30 minutes in a game (31 vs. KU, 30 vs. OU). Turner Turns Up Defensive Heat for Huskers Sophomore Yvonne Turner is making a name for herself as an explosive defensive player in Nebraska s lineup this season. The 5-7 point guard leads the Huskers with 52 steals this season, already giving her 16 more steals than any Husker during the entire campaign (Kelsey Griffin, 36). Turner owns at least one steal in 13 consecutive games, with at least two steals in 11 of those contests. Turner is averaging 11.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals per game to open Big 12 play, including a careerhigh 18 points at No. 11 Oklahoma on Jan. 16. She added 10 points, a career-high seven rebounds and five assists in NU s win at Iowa State on Jan. 19. It was her fifth double-figure scoring effort of the season, including her fourth in the last eight games. Turner also caught fire from long range last week, hitting 6-of-9 three-point attempts, after opening the year by hitting 7-of-38 attempts in the first 16 games. She had 10 points, five rebounds, five assists and eight steals against Arkansas-Pine Bluff to close non-conference action on Jan. 2. She added 11 points in a win over Ole Miss on Nov. 11, and 10 points at Long Beach State on Dec. 15. She opened Big 12 play with nine points, five rebounds and six steals against No. 15 Texas. Turner enters Wednesday s game against Texas A&M averaging 7.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.9 steals per game. Turner, who has 22 steals in her last five games, had her second eight-steal performance of the year in NU s win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Jan. 2. The mark gave her two of the top-10 individual single-game steals efforts in school history and made her one of only three players in NU history to record eight or more steals on two occasions in her career. She added her most impressive defensive performance of the season with a career-high eight steals in Nebraska s win over Florida on Nov. 17. Turner nabbed five steals in the first 1:31 of the second half, while her eight steals tied for the eighth-highest total in school history, just two shy of Kathy Hawkins school record. Amazingly, Turner recorded her eight steals in her first 12 minutes of action on the court in the game s first 22 minutes. Turner added eight points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals at No. 18 Ohio State on Dec. 22. She also contributed one of the best all-around games of her career with eight points, four rebounds and three steals in Nebraska s win over USC on Dec. 8.

7 Nebraska Women s Basketball Page 7 Texas A&M Jan. 23, 2008 Huskers.com Griffin Reaches Milestone in Win over USC Junior forward Kelsey Griffin became the 23rd player in Nebraska women s basketball history to reach the 1,000- point mark in her career when she scored the game s first points in NU s win over USC on Dec. 8. Griffin finished the USC game with 13 points, and has since increased her total to 1,074 points to tie for 17th on NU s career scoring list. She also has 539 career rebounds, making her one of just 15 players in school history to amass 1,000 points and 500 boards in their careers. The 6-2 forward from Eagle River, Alaska, is poised to make a major jump up Nebraska s scoring and rebounding charts. She needs just 15 points to catch Nafeesah Brown at No. 16 with 1,089 points, and just 22 points to match Ann Halsne at No. 15 with 1,096 points. To join Nebraska s top-10 list as a scorer by the end of her junior season, Griffin will need to catch Diane DelVigna at 1,433 points. To become one of NU s top-10 career rebounders, Griffin (539) needs 102 more boards to catch Tina McClain at 641. Griffin also needs just seven more blocked shots to crack NU s career top 10 in that category. She owns 56 blocks in her career and has 13 blocks through her first 14 games this season. Pyra Aarden and Karen Jennings are tied for ninth on NU s career chart with 63 blocks. Hester Gives Huskers All-Around Threat On The Wing Junior guard Tay Hester has given Nebraska an all-around offensive and defensive threat on the wing early in her Husker career. The 5-10 guard from Moreno Valley, Calif., produced her first career double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds in the season opener against her former teammates from UTEP. Hester s double-double was the first by a Husker wing player since Keasha Cannon-Johnson had 11 points and 10 rebounds in NU s Postseason WNIT victory over Drake on March 18, Hester closed her strong weekend by adding 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting in the win over Ole Miss on Nov. 11. Hester added a team-high four assists, to go along with four rebounds and a steal against the Rebels. The California native has produced double figures six times, including a career-high 14 points and four assists in a loss at No. 14 Ohio State on Dec. 22. She had 10 points and five rebounds at Oklahoma on Jan. 16. She also pitched in 12 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals in Nebraska s win over USC on Dec. 8. Hester scored 10 of her 12 points in the second half to help the Huskers turn a two-point halftime lead into an 18-point victory over the Women of Troy. Hester had 11 points and six rebounds in a win over Robert Morris on Dec. 2, after producing eight points, eight rebounds and three assists in a win over Creighton on Nov. 30. Through 18 games, Hester is averaging 7.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, while ranking third among the Huskers with 39 assists. She has added 22 steals and three blocked shots on the year. Freshman Kelley Produces Solid Early Numbers Lincoln native Dominique Kelley has her Husker career off to a strong start. The Lincoln Northeast High School graduate ranks sixth on the team in scoring with 6.8 points per game, while adding 3.3 rebounds per contest. Kelley ranks among the top 10 freshmen in the Big 12 in scoring (ninth), rebounding (seventh) and assists (third). Her 13 made three-pointers are also tied for seventh among league freshmen. She scored a game-high 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field in NU s win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Jan. 2. That effort followed a 15-point performance that included a career-high nine rebounds in a win over Denver on Dec. 30. Kelley also knocked down a career-high three three-pointers against the Pioneers. Kelley established her career high with 16 points in a win over Florida on Nov. 17, before leading the Huskers with 13 points and seven boards in a win over Akron on Nov. 25. She added a strong effort with nine points, five rebounds and two assists at No. 18 Ohio State on Dec. 22. Kelley is shooting a team-best 39.4 percent (13-33) from three-point range and her 13 made three-pointers are tied for second on the team, trailing only fellow freshman Kaitlyn Burke s 23. Kelley has been hot from long range in recent weeks, hitting 10-of-21 three-point attempts over the last nine games. The 2007 Nebraska High School Player of the Year and a WBCA Honorable-Mention High School All-American, Kelley produced one of the best prep careers in Nebraska history at Lincoln Northeast. Kelley led the Rockets to a 70-3 record in her final three seasons, scoring 595 points as a senior, just 19 points shy of the Class A single-season scoring record set by former Husker and 1988 Big Eight Player-of-the-Year Maurtice Ivy. Kelley averaged 24.7 points per game last year. Burke Earns Nomination For Best Supporting Role No stranger to the spotlight, Kaitlyn Burke has certainly earned a nomination for best supporting role by a Husker non-starter in her young Nebraska career. The former childhood actress played starring roles in Nebraska s wins in California. The 5-7 guard from North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, erupted for career highs of 15 points, five three-pointers and seven assists in a career-best 34 minutes off the bench in NU s win at Cal State Bakersfield on Dec. 13. She provided an impressive encore by leading the Huskers in scoring, rebounding and assists with 14 points, a career-high seven boards and five assists in a run past Long Beach State on Dec. 15. NU Season 3FG By A Freshman Player (Year) 3FG Made 1. Anna DeForge (94-95) Kiera Hardy (03-04) Nicole Kubik (96-97) Shannon Howell (00-01) Kaitlyn Burke (07-08) 23 Preseason Big 12 Conference Poll Team (1st Place Votes) Points Finish 1. Texas A&M (7) 117 Tie-1st 2. Oklahoma(5) 115 Tie-1st 3. Baylor 97 3rd 4. Texas 86 Tie-7th 5. Oklahoma State 66 6th 6. Iowa State 64 Tie-4th 7. Nebraska 56 Tie-4th 8. Kansas State 54 Tie-11th 8. Texas Tech 54 Tie-7th 10. Kansas 43 Tie-11th 11. Colorado 29 T-7th 12. Missouri 11 10th Preseason All-Big 12 Teams Player of the Year: Courtney Paris, Oklahoma, 6-4, Jr., C Newcomer of the Year: Dominic Seals, Texas Tech, 6-2, Jr., F Freshman of the Year: Tyra White, Texas A&M, 6-0, Fr., G First-Team Kelsey Griffin 6-2 Jr. F Nebraska Jackie McFarland 6-3 Sr. F Colorado Courtney Paris 6-4 Jr. C Oklahoma A Quonesia Franklin 5-3 Sr. G Texas A&M Takia Starks 5-8 Jr. G Texas A&M Honorable-Mention Angela Tisdale (Baylor), Danielle McCray (Kansas), Ashley Paris (Oklahoma), Andrea Riley (Oklahoma State), Morenike Atunrase (Texas A&M), Danielle Gant (Texas A&M) this week in the big 12 conference Tuesday, Jan. 22 Kansas at Colorado, 8 p.m. (FSNRM) Wednesday, Jan. 23 Baylor at Missouri, 6:30 p.m. (MSN) Iowa State at Kansas State, 7 p.m. Texas Tech at Oklahoma, 7 p.m. (SSN) Oklahoma State at Texas, 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26 Missouri at Texas, 1 p.m. Colorado at Texas Tech, 3 p.m. (FSN) Texas A&M at Kansas, 7 p.m. (ESPN360) Nebraska at Baylor, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27 Kansas State at Oklahoma State, 1:30 p.m. (FSN) Georgia at Oklahoma, 4 p.m. (ESPN2) Nebraska Big 12 Players of the Week Player, Class, Position Date Danielle Page, Senior, Forward Nov. 12, Player, Class, Position Date Kelsey Griffin, Sophomore, Forward Feb. 5, 2007 Kelsey Griffin, Sophomore, Forward Jan. 8, 2007 Nebraska Big 12 Rookies of the Week Player, Class, Position Date Kaitlyn Burke, Freshman, Guard Dec. 17, Player, Class, Position Date Kelsey Griffin, Freshman, Forward Feb. 6, 2006 Kelsey Griffin, Freshman, Forward Jan. 9, Danielle Page, Freshman, Forward Feb. 14, 2005 Danielle Page, Freshman, Forward Jan. 31, 2005