San Diego - Jaz Shelley scored 30 points and buried six three-pointers to shoot Nebraska to a 65-53 women's basketball win over Drexel in the Huskers' opening game at The Dana on Mission Bay Holiday Tournament at the Jenny Craig Pavilion on Friday.

Shelley, a sophomore from Moe, Australia, got her 30 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the field, including 6-of-7 three-pointers, while helping the Huskers seal the victory with 8-of-9 free throw shooting. The 5-9 guard added seven rebounds, two assists and four unofficial blocked shots to help Nebraska improve to 6-0 on the season. Drexel, the 2021 Colonial Athletic Association champions, slipped to 3-2.

It was Nebraska's first win over a 2021 NCAA Tournament team this season, second over a postseason tournament qualifier (also Creighton) and second over a 2021 conference champion (also Maine). It was also NU's fifth double-digit victory through six games.

While Shelley carried the scoring load, Bella Cravens and Alexis Markowski played big inside for the Big Red. Cravens finished with a game-high 14 rebounds, including nine in the first half, while Markowski added nine big boards. Cravens and Markowski each contributed five points. Isabelle Bourne added a solid effort with seven points and six rebounds.

Californian MiCole Cayton added six points on a pair of three-pointers, while Annika Stewart also pitched in six points on a three-pointer and a traditional three-point play off the bench. 

Nebraska got off to a slow start, trailing 8-0 to open the game. The Huskers missed open looks from all over the court in the first six minutes, before Markowski put the Big Red on the board with a strong move at the rim.

Shelley then entered the picture for the Big Red, burying three consecutive three-pointers in a span of 90 seconds to shoot Nebraska to its first lead at 11-10 with 1:53 left in the opening quarter. However, Drexel's Hannah Nihill finished the period strong with five straight points of her own in the final 90 seconds to put the Dragons up 15-11 at the end of the first. Nihill scored 13 straight points for Drexel in the quarter, after Keishana Washington scored the game's first two points.

Washington then opened the second quarter with a three-pointer and her two-pointer with just over five minutes left sent Drexel to the second-quarter media timeout with a 23-17 lead. 

Shelley then erupted again, scoring nine points in the final 3:35 of the period to spark a 14-0 run by the Big Red to take a 31-23 halftime lead. Shelley finished the first half a perfect 5-for-5 from long range and 3-of-3 at the free throw line for 18 points. On the other end, the Huskers shut out Nihill in the second period.

The Huskers knew there would be no quit in the Dragons. Drexel scored the first four points of the second half to trim the margin back to four points at 31-27. The lead remained at four points before Shelley extended the margin to 36-29 on another three-pointer. An Isabelle Bourne putback and a Shelley layup gave the Big Red its first double-digit lead of the game at 40-29, before Shelley capped a 9-0 Husker run with another layup to make it 42-29 with 3:44 left in the third quarter.

Drexel could get no closer than eight points the rest of the way, and Nebraska sank 7-of-8 free throws in the final 2:34 to seal the double-digit win.

For the game, Nebraska hit 42.9 percent (21-49) of its shots from the floor, including 36 percent (9-25) three-pointers. The Huskers held a 15-point edge over the Dragons from distance, holding Drexel to just 4-of-19 (.211) three-point shooting. Nebraska also outscored the Dragons 14-3 at the free throw line, as the Huskers committed just six fouls in the contest.

As a team, Drexel hit just 29.9 percent (23-77) of its shots from the field and got out-rebounded 51-33 by Nebraska. However, the Dragons won the turnover battle 20-2 and outscored the Huskers 17-0 in points off turnovers. Nebraska's bench made up for that margin by outscoring the Drexel reserves, 19-2.

Nihill led the Dragons with 19 points on 9-of-23 shooting, while Washington added 13 points on 6-of-21 shooting. Washington also dished out four assists. Kate Connolly put a trio of Dragons in double figures with 11 points to go along with a game-high five steals. Drexel's leading scorer and rebounder, Tessa Brugler was held to six points on 2-of-12 shooting, but did pull down 10 rebounds. 

Nebraska advances in The Dana on Mission Bay Holiday Tournament to take on the hosts from San Diego on Saturday at 6 p.m. (CT). The Toreros, led by former Nebraska assistant coach Cindy Fisher, posted a 68-64 win over 2021 WNIT Postseason qualifier Fresno State earlier Friday afternoon. The game can be heard across the Huskers Radio Network, on Huskers.com and the Huskers App. A live video stream can also be accessed through usdtoreros.com.

Huskers Take on Toreros for Title

Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
at San Diego Toreros (4-1, 0-0 West Coast)
The Dana on Mission Bay Holiday Tournament
Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, 6 p.m. (CT)
Jenny Craig Pavilion - San Diego, California
Live Radio: Huskers Radio Network (5:45 p.m.)
Matt Coatney (PBP), Jeff Griesch (Analyst), Lincoln (1400 AM), Omaha (105.9 FM)
Huskers.com, Huskers App

Huskers Take on Toreros for Tournament Title
The Nebraska women's basketball team shoots for a title on Saturday when the Huskers battle the hosts from San Diego for The Dana on Mission Bay Holiday Tournament championship at Jenny Craig Pavilion.

Tip-off between the Huskers (6-0) and the host Toreros (4-1) is set for 6 p.m. (CT), with the Huskers Radio Network call of Matt Coatney and Jeff Griesch on Huskers.com. Saturday's game can be heard in Lincoln on KLIN 1400 AM, and in Omaha on CD 105.9 FM. Free audio is also available on Huskers.com and on the Huskers App. 

Nebraska advanced to the championship game with a 65-53 victory over 2021 Colonial Athletic Association champion and NCAA Tournament qualifier Drexel on Friday. Sophomore Jaz Shelley (Moe, Australia) erupted for 30 points on just nine field goal attempts. She went 8-for-9 from the floor, including 6-of-7 from three-point range, while sinking 8-of-9 free throws. The 5-9 guard added seven rebounds and two assists.

While Shelley did the damage for the Huskers outside, Bella Cravens, Alexis Markowski and Isabelle Bourne powered the Big Red inside. The trio combined for 17 points and 29 rebounds, as the Huskers produced a 51-33 advantage on the glass against the Dragons.

San Diego, which is coached by former Nebraska assistant Cindy Fisher, moved to the title game with a 68-64 win over Mountain West Conference preseason favorite Fresno State. Australian Steph Gorman led USD with 17 points on 4-of-7 three-point shooting, while Ayanna Khalfani contributed 10 points off the bench in her most significant action of the season. The Toreros used a massive 18-0 run to turn a 10-point third-quarter deficit into a 10-point fourth-quarter lead before holding on for the victory.

San Diego improved to 3-0 on its home court this season, including wins over Hawaii and Air Force. It's lone loss this season came at Washington (57-51, Nov. 12).

Nebraska will take aim at its first 7-0 start under sixth-year head coach Amy Williams and its first 7-0 start overall 2014-15. The Huskers continue to rank among national leaders by averaging 90.5 points per game while surrendering just 50.5 points per contest.

In addition to Shelley, who leads Nebraska in scoring (14.3 ppg), rebounding (8.3 rpg), assists (4.8 apg), three-pointers (18-29, .621) and blocked shots, the Huskers also feature All-Big Ten Sam Haiby (7.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.4 apg) and All-Big Ten forward Isabelle Bourne (13.0 ppg 5.2 rpg), along with returning starters Ashley Scoggin (9.8 ppg) and Bella Cravens (7.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg).

Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
14 - Bella Cravens - 6-3 - Jr. - F - 7.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg
34 - Isabelle Bourne - 6-2 - So. - F - 13.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg
0 - Ashley Scoggin - 5-7 - RSo. - G - 9.8 ppg, 1.3 rpg
1 - Jaz Shelley - 5-9 - So. - G - 14.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg
4 - Sam Haiby - 5-9 - Jr. - G - 7.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg
Off the Bench
40 - Alexis Markowski - 6-3 - Fr. - F/C - 8.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg
21 - Annika Stewart - 6-3 - Fr. - F - 7.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg    
3 - Allison Weidner - 5-10 - Fr. - G - 6.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg
32 - Kendall Coley - 6-2 - Fr. - F/G - 5.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg 
11 - Ruby Porter - 5-10 - Fr. - G - 4.0 ppg, 1.2 rpg
10 - Whitney Brown - 5-8 - Fr. - G - 3.4 ppg, 1.2 rpg
15 - Kendall Moriarty - 6-1 - Fr. - G - 3.3 ppg, 0.7 rpg
5 - MiCole Cayton - 5-9 - Gr. - G - 2.0 ppg, 1.8 rpg
Head Coach: Amy Williams (Nebraska, 1998)
Sixth Season at Nebraska (78-75); 15th Season Overall (271-184)

San Diego Toreros (4-1, 0-0 West Coast Conference)
30 - Kendall Bird - 6-2 - RSr. - F - 8.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg
32 - Sydney Hunter - 6-0 - Gr. - G - 6.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg
0 - Kiera Oakry - 5-10 - RJr. - G - 8.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg
4 - Steph Gorman - 6-0 - Jr. - G - 9.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg
23 - Jordyn Edwards - 5-8 - Gr. - G - 10.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg
Off the Bench
10 - Myah Pace - 5-11 - Gr. - G - 8.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg
20 - Erica Martinsen - 5-9 - RSr. - G - 7.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg
24 - Kylie Horstmeyer - 6-0 - So. - G - 5.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg
22 - Kasey Neubert - 6-1 - Jr. - F - 5.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg
5 - Ayanna Khalfani - 5-11 - Jr. - G - 5.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg
11 - Laura Erikstrup - 6-2 - So. - C - 1.8 ppg, 0.8 rpg
34 - Gabby Giuffre - 5-11 - Fr. - G - 1.2 ppg, 0.8 rpg
42 - Harsimran Kaur - 6-4 - Fr. - F - 1.0 ppg, 0.5 rpg
33 - Amanda Olinger - 6-3 - Jr. - F - 1.0 ppg, 0.3 rpg
25 - Nicole Blakes - 6-2 - RJr. - F - 0.4 ppg, 1.8 rpg
1 - Courtney Wristen - 6-2 - Fr. - F - 0.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg
Head Coach: Cindy Fisher (Arizona State, 1988)
17th Season at San Diego (298-196); 22nd Season Overall (357-277) 

Scouting the San Diego Toreros
Cindy Fisher leads her 17th Torero team into the 2021-22 season after a pandemic-shortened season when they finished 12-7. Fisher has strong family and professional ties to Nebraska, where she was an assistant coach under Connie Yori during the 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons. Her current San Diego roster includes Kasey Neubert, a 6-1 junior forward who is the daughter of former Nebraska tight end (1987) and basketball letterman (1984-86-87) Keith Neubert, who played in the NFL for the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles. Her mother Paula was also a member of the Husker softball team.

San Diego's roster in recent years also included former Nebraska all-state guard Jamie Kissinger (Minden, Neb.) who was the older sister of 2020-21 Husker senior guard Taylor Kissinger. Fisher, who was an assistant at Old Dominion for Nebraska Coach Amy Williams' final collegiate game in the second round of the 1998 NCAA Tournament, spent six seasons as the head coach at Wyoming (1998-99 to 2002-03) before spending two years on the Husker staff, took over the USD program in 2005-06. From 2011-12 through 2015-16, the Toreros posted five consecutive seasons with 22 or more wins.

The 2021-22 Toreros are off to a strong start with a 4-1 record, including a 68-64 win over Fresno State on Friday in the opening game of The Dana on Mission Bay Holiday Tournament. Steph Gorman, a 6-0 junior guard from Wodonga, Victoria, Australia, led USD with 17 points in the win over the Bulldogs. The Utah State transfer is averaging 9.5 points per game after making her first start of the season.

Jordyn Edwards, a 5-8 guard, is the only Torero averaging in double figures through five contests. Edwards is averaging 10.3 points, while fellow graduate student Sydney Hunter (6.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and redshirt senior Kendall Bird (8.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg).

Redshirt junior Kiera Oakry (8.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg) rounds out an experienced starting five for San Diego. 

The Toreros also have one of the deepest benches the Huskers will face this season, with 16 players contributing so far this season, including Erica Martinsen. The 5-9 redshirt senior has started three games and averaged 7.8 points and 2.3 rebounds. Kylie Horstmeyer (5.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg), Kasey Neubert (5.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg), Myah Pace and Ayanna Khalfani are just a handful of reserves who provided significant contributions. 

Nebraska vs. San Diego Series History
Nebraska leads the all-time series with San Diego, 2-0, including a 62-61 win at the Surf & Slam Hoop Classic at the Jenny Craig Pavilion on Dec. 28, 2002. Husker Margaret Richards hit a game-winning baseline jumper to cap a huge comeback against the Toreros. 

Nebraska's first meeting with San Diego came in the first round of the 1993 NCAA Tournament, when the Huskers rolled to an 81-58 win on St. Patrick's Day at the Devaney Center. The victory was NU's first-NCAA Tournament in school history. Nafeesah Brown led the Big Red with 26 points, 13 rebounds and six steals, while 1993 Wade Trophy winner Karen Jennings added 14 points and eight boards.