Premium ContentMouse over Home then click on Premium Content for information.LINCOLN — The 7,642 fans at the Devaney Center on Thursday night outdrew the attendance for the Nebraska-Michigan men's game on Wednesday by 623. And unlike the early-exiting crowd Wednesday, Husker fans stayed loud and active even when NU trailed by 27 early in the second half.
"We didn't play well, but they didn't give up on us," Nebraska coach Connie Yori said. "That's pretty cool. They didn't leave. They kept cheering for us to defend. I can't be more pleased with the fact that the crowd helped us."
Said NU guard Lindsey Moore: "When they saw it go to 25, they could have all got up and left. We love our crowd for that reason, that they'll all stay with us."
Yori said, based on her observation of road games, the Huskers probably have the best actual attendance in the Big Ten, even if numbers at other schools are reported as the higher paid-attendance figures.
UM wins rebounds but loses turnovers
Two strange stats for Michigan in Thursday's 63-52 win. The Wolverines are the Big Ten's worst rebounding team, yet won the board battle 48-30. UM purposely let NU shoot 3-pointers by packing the lanes, which left it in good position for rebounds. Nebraska still had 14 offensive rebounds for the game.
The other odd stat: Michigan leads the Big Ten in turnover margin, but committed 24 compared to eight for Nebraska. The Wolverines burned all but their last timeout early in the second half, which left them with little recourse down the stretch to escape the Huskers' backcourt pressure.
Buckeyes miss shot at tie for Big Ten lead
Ohio State blew a chance to tie Purdue for the Big Ten lead Thursday with a 66-65 loss at Illinois.
The Buckeyes lost a 10-point, second-half lead and are now in a tie with NU for third in the league. Penn State (9-3) is alone in second after a 69-54 win against Wisconsin on Thursday.
Michigan State is fourth at 7-4 after beating Northwestern 72-58, while Michigan and surging Iowa — which won its fourth straight by beating Minnesota 75-58 — are tied for fifth at 7-5.
The Wolverines and Hawkeyes play each other twice in the last 10 days of the regular season.
— Sam McKewon
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