Senior guard Danielle Green will try to lead the Cowgirls to victory against Nebraska, though the Huskers have lost only one home game. The Cowgirls are coming off a win against No. 5 Baylor on Tuesday.
Megan Byford watched as her two her fellow post players had career days against Baylor.
As the Cowgirls pulled off the upset against the No. 5 Lady Bears on Tuesday, Byford, a backup center, saw Shaunté Smith and Maria Cordero pull in career-highs in rebounds.
“They both played so great,” Byford said. “Shaunté Smith in particular has really been setting the tone for us the past couple games.”
Seeing her teammates play one of their best games inspired her, Byford said.
“I’m one of those people who always loves to see my teammates have success,” she said. “When those two play so good, it makes me want to play well even more when I get in there.”
Byford will have her chance Saturday, when the No. 17 Cowgirls (18-3 overall, 6-3 Big 12) travel to Lincoln, Neb., to take on the Huskers.
Nebraska (16-6, 6-3) is the second straight team the Cowgirls have faced with a balanced offensive attack. Yet against Baylor, the Cowgirls were the ones spreading the ball around, as five players scored in double figures.
“It was exciting to see everybody do what we know they can do, and now the rest of the world sees what they can do on our team,” said senior guard Danielle Green.
The Huskers are also known for their impressive post play.
Nebraska’s top three scorers are post players, with junior forward Kelsey Griffin leading the way at 13.4 points per game.
Byford said she’s looking forward to the challenge.
“I know their post is deep, but we’re playing really good right now,” Byford said. “It’ll be a challenge, but we feel like we’re confident and ready for them.”
When the Cowgirls beat then-No. 6 Oklahoma a month ago, they struggled in the next game against Missouri, coach Kurt Budke said at the time, because they were so drained of emotion.
Green said the team is working hard to prepare against Nebraska so it doesn’t come out slowly again.
“We’re going to come out focused and ready to play,” Green said. “We’re gonna practice just as hard as we did coming into Baylor’s game and that’ll get us prepared for Nebraska.”
The Cowgirls will also have to be prepared for Nebraska’s fans.
The Huskers are trying to get a sellout crowd in the Devaney Center. Nebraska has only dropped one game at home, a 77-75 loss to Kansas State on Jan. 30, but Green said she thinks Oklahoma State will be ready.
“We know it’s going to be a loaded house, packed with lots of red, but we’re going to be excited to play,” Green said. “That just gets us pumped.
“We know they’re a great team, so there’ll be no surprise going in.”
Although Byford said OSU knows Nebraska is a good team, she said the Cowgirls’ have momentum that they’re eager to see extended with another victory.
“I was excited to see what we could do against Baylor,” Byford said. “Now I’m excited to see what we do against Nebraska, and what this team can do the rest of the season.”
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