LINCOLN, Neb. - In the opening game of their 2022-23 season, the Mavericks fell 36-100 to No. 22 Nebraska on Monday in Lincoln, Nebraska.
 
Leaders For Omaha
Nine different Mavericks scored today, led by Elena Pilakouta with 10 points on four layups (4-of-7) and a couple of free throws (2-of-2). She also paced the team with eight total rebounds and 25 minutes on the court. Katie Keitges, Ana Nikulochkina, and Polina Nikulochkina all picked up a 3-point FG, while Akili Felici logged two blocked shots.
 
Leaders for Nebraska
Isabelle Bourne totaled 21 points on 10 field goals (10-of-15), and was tied with Allison Weidener for the team lead with nine rebounds. Former South Dakota Coyote Maddie Krulle led the Huskers with four 3-point FGs (4-of-6).  

Team Stats
Omaha shot 21.2% (11-of-52) to Nebraska's 56.6% (43-of-76). The Huskers also came out on top in three-pointers (41.2%, 14-34 vs. 17.6%, 3-17) and rebounds (49 vs. 29). 

Inside the First Quarter
The first quarter was a notable one for the Nikulochkina sisters as each one scored a three-pointer in their Omaha debut. Ana's came first at 5:30 to open up the scoring for Omaha, while Polina's would come just over a minute later at 4:20 to cut Nebraska's lead to just seven points. Later on, Grace Cave would log her first three points of the season on a jumper and two free throws with 0:25 remaining. 

As for the Huskers, four different players picked up a 3-point FG in the first, including two in their 12-0 scoring run to start the day.
 
Inside the Second Quarter
Cave, Pilakouta, and Morgann Gardner would all score a field goal in the second quarter for Omaha. Pilakouta also picked up four rebounds, while Katie Keitges would add three of her own, as well as two assists, off the bench.

Through the first six and a half minutes, Omaha had limited Nebraska to only five points on two baskets, outscoring them 6-5 in the process. However, starting with a layup from Alexis Markowski at 3:20, the Huskers would go on an 11-0 scoring run to close out the quarter, capped off by a layup from Bourne.

Inside the Third Quarter
Following halftime, the Mavericks struck first in the second half thanks to another layup from Pilakouta. At 6:05, she would also go 2-for-2 on free throws, as did Ana Nikulochkina at 4:36. Jaylen Townsend would also score the first points of her Omaha career at 2:11 on a jumper.

The third quarter proved to be the most prolific for the Huskers, as they racked up a game-high 33 points in the period. Bourne added six more points, while Krull notched a couple of three-pointers as well.
 
Inside the Fourth Quarter
Kennedi Grant kicked off the fourth after being fouled two times in the span of 17 seconds, subsequently going 2-for-4 on free throws. Later, at 6:22, Aaliyah Stanley would score on a free throw too, tallying her first career point with Omaha. 

In the end, however, it would be the Huskers who managed to reach the century mark for the first time since November 20, 2021, when they dropped 113 on North Carolina Central. Krull did the honors with her fourth of the day from behind the arc at 0:41.

Next Up
The Mavericks will return to Baxter Arena this Saturday at 2 p.m. when they host Wichita State in their home opener.