Nebraska, Iowa poised to determine Big Ten women's tourney champion
One week ago, Nebraska had an opportunity to win a share of the Big Ten's regular season women's basketball champions...
Nebraska, Iowa poised to determine Big Ten women's tourney champion One week ago, Nebraska had an opportunity to win a share of the Big Ten's regular season women's basketball champions... Check out this story on IndyStar.com: http://indy.st/1iomiHN
Mike Carmin, mcarmin@jconline.com Published 8:36 p.m. ET March 8, 2014 | Updated 8:51 p.m. ET March 8, 2014
Michigan State's Becca Mills (left) guards Nebraska's Rachel Theriot, who had eight assists Saturday after a record 18 Friday.(Photo: Matt Detrich/The Star)Buy Photo
One week ago, Nebraska had an opportunity to win a share of the Big Ten's regular season women's basketball championship.
The Huskers were blown out at Purdue, halting a nine-game winning streak.
Here comes another title chance for the league's newest member. After pounding 19th-ranked Michigan State 86-58 on Saturday night, the 16th-ranked Huskers face Iowa in today's tournament title game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
The 23rd-ranked Hawkeyes survived a late charge from No. 8 seed Ohio State to prevail in the first semifinal, 77-73. Iowa is attempting to become the first team to win four straight and capture the Big Ten tournament.
"It's an amazing feeling," said Iowa redshirt senior Theairra Taylor, who poured in a game-high 21 points. "I can't think of a better script or a better team to be going to the championship with."
Playing for a title is a familiar position for third-seeded Nebraska since joining the conference. In 2012, the Huskers were beaten by the Boilermakers in the tournament title game in double overtime. The last two years, coach Connie Yori's team lost in the final game with a share of the regular season championship at stake.
"Just poise, just relax. It's just another game but at the same time it's not another game," said Jordan Hooper, the media's player of the year selection. "You have to go out there and play hard and know your teammates are going to play just as hard. Just take in the moment. There's nothing after this — don't worry about what's next. Worry about this game."
The Huskers rolled the second-seeded Spartans with a splendid first half, hitting 19-of-30 field goals en route to a 50-27 lead. The scary part was Nebraska did it without Hooper, who was on the bench with two fouls. Guards Rachel Theriot and Tear'a Laudermill carried the load, totaling 27 points of their combined 38 in the first half. Branndais Agee led the Spartans with 18 points.
Iowa over Ohio State in Big Ten Women's Semifinal
Michigan State's Branndais Agee drives through Nebraska's Rachel Theriot in the 2014 Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament held at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Saturday, March 8, 2014. Nebraska beat Michigan State 86-58. Matt Detrich/The Star
Nebraska's Rachel Theriot has the ball knocked out of her hand by Michigan State's Becca Mills. Matt Detrich/The Star
Nebraska's Rachel Theriot puts the pressure on Michigan State's Annalise Pickrel. Matt Detrich/The Star
Michigan State's Branndais Agee drives through Nebraska's Rachel Theriot. Matt Detrich/The Star
Nebraska head coach Connie Yori shouts instructions to her team. Matt Detrich/The Star
Nebraska's Emily Cady and her teammates scream as a win is near in the final minutes of play against Michigan State. Matt Detrich/The Star
Michigan State's Aerial Powers screams at the referee for a foul while fighting for the ball with Nebraska's Jordan Hooper and teammate Becca Mills. Matt Detrich/The Star
Michigan State's Branndais Agee fights for the ball with Nebraska's Emily Cady and Rachel Theriot . Matt Detrich/The Star
Michigan State's Aerial Powers flies to the hoop through the Nebraska defense. Matt Detrich/The Star
Nebraska's Emily Cady drives to the hoop around Michigan State's Aerial Powers. Matt Detrich/The Star
Iowa's Ally Disterhoft grimaces as she gets hit by Ohio State's Darryce Moore during the 2014 Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament held at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Saturday, March 8, 2014. Iowa won 77-73. Matt Detrich/The Star
.during the 2014 Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament held at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Saturday, March 8, 2014. Matt Detrich/The Star
Iowa's Melissa Dixon gets whipped in the face by her hair as she drives to the hoop. Matt Detrich/The Star
Ohio State's Cait Craft is swarmed by Iowa defenders Melissa Dixon, left, and Theairra Taylor as they all go for a loose ball. Matt Detrich/The Star
Ohio State's Cait Craft is swarmed by Iowa defender Melissa Dixon as they battle for a loose ball. Matt Detrich/The Star
Iowa's Kali Peschel fires off a shot while being defended by Ohio State's Martina Ellerbe. Matt Detrich/The Star
Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder calls a play against Ohio State. Matt Detrich/The Star
Ohio State's Martina Ellerbe and Iowa's Bethany Doolittle chase down a loose ball. Matt Detrich/The Star
Iowa's Kathryn Reynolds races to celebrate with her teammates after beating the Buckeyes in the 2014 Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament. Matt Detrich/The Star
Ohio State's Darryce Moore fights back tears as she walks off the court after being beat by Iowa. Matt Detrich/The Star
Laudermill finished with 20 and Theriot added eight assists, one day after collecting 18 against Minnesota.
"It was awesome, but at the same time it sucked being on the bench," said Hooper, who managed 15 points. "I wasn't helping them at all, but it was great to see them go to work on a really great Michigan State team."
Nebraska has beaten Iowa seven straight times, including 80-67 earlier this season.
The difference in the first semifinal victory was Taylor's underhand scoop shot, giving the Hawkeyes a 75-73 lead with 1:32 to play. The redshirt senior, who has overcome three ACL injuries from 2009-11, quickly improvised with the shot clock running down.
"They were blocking our shots — they're really big," Taylor said. "The only way to get it up there was to scoop it. I saw a small opening and tried to squeeze it in there."
The ball rolled on the rim and dropped through the net. It's not a shot Taylor practices, at least not in front of anyone.
"Maybe when I'm in the gym by myself with the lights off. Not one I would ever expect to do in a game," she said, smiling.
The Buckeyes, who averaged 92.5 points in their first two tournament wins, had a pair of chances to tie or keep their surprising run alive.
Ameryst Alston, who finished with 20 points and totaled 83 in three games, missed a short jumper. With 10 seconds left, Martina Ellerbe's 3-pointer was short and Melissa Dixon sealed Iowa's ninth win in the last 10 games hitting a pair of free throws.