Nebraska’s guards will have their hands full on Saturday night in Stillwater, Okla. trying to contain Oklahoma State’s Andrea Riley, a first-team All-Big 12 Conference performer last year.
In Big 12 play, Riley averages 26.1 points per game and accounts for almost 40 percent of Oklahoma State’s shots from the field. The junior guard attempts 24 shots per game, including eight three-pointers and nine free throws.
But NU might be prepared to take on the third-year starter. Husker guard Yvonne Turner put a lot of pressure on Riley last year at home and helped force her into six turnovers.
“I think it’s very important for me and anyone in my position to stop her,” Turner said. “She’s a great player, and I respect her game. Just keeping her in control and taking care of the ball will be the number one thing to beating OK State.”
NU guard Dominique Kelley and Turner both agreed that Riley scores a lot of points in transition. They said last year putting pressure on her during transitions frustrated Riley to the point where she turned the ball over. The guards will use this strategy in stopping the Cowboys and one of the nation’s quickest players on Saturday.
“They’re just a team that gets a lot of easy buckets in transition,” Kelley said. “If we really want to have a chance to win we need to make them play at a tempo they’re not used to playing.”
Nebraska will be vying for its first conference road win of the year on Saturday. The Huskers have been on fire the past four weeks and have become a major contender in the Big 12. They’ve won their last three out of four games, putting them at .500 on the season after beating Colorado 75-64 on Tuesday.
Most importantly, winning their last regular season game against the Cowboys will give NU a chance to become postseason eligible for the sixth straight season.
“Here we have a chance to go to postseason six consecutive years in a row. For us to keep that tradition, it brings passion to the team, coaches and practices,” Turner said. “It’s meaningful to know that we have something to play for.”
Winning at OSU could also have a major impact on the seeding of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship in Oklahoma City. Nebraska can still finish as the No. 8, 9 or 10 seed in the league. A win this weekend could give the Huskers a No. 8 seed or maybe even a tie for seventh place in the final standings.
After losing to the Cowboys 92-81 last year at home, the Huskers are also looking for revenge.
“We’re hungry. We know what’s at stake,” Kelley said. “We know how important the win will be. We’re really excited and looking forward to it. It’s one we feel we really need to win.”
blaireuteneuer@dailynebraskan.com
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