NICEVILLE, FLA. — Sophomore guard Britt Prince matched a career high with 30 points as unbeaten Nebraska held off a late charge by Virginia to claim a 91-82 victory in the championship of the Beach Bracket of the Emerald Coast Classic at Northwest Florida State College Tuesday night.
Prince set a tournament single-game scoring record while making 12 of 17 shots from the floor. She also collected six assists and four rebounds.
She was one of five players to reach double-figure scoring for Nebraska which improved to 7-0.
Sophomore forward Amiah Hargrove joined Prince on the all-tournament team after scoring 17 points while grabbing a game-high eight rebounds.
“Just so thankful for the opportunity to play in this great event,” said Nebraska head coach Amy Williams. “We’ve been treated so well; from the accommodations to the way the tournament was ran.”
Prince, who is on the Nancy Lieberman Award Preseason Watch List, scored 18 points in the first half as the Huskers owned a 42-33 lead. But she was instrumental in the clutch, netting eight points in a pivotal fourth quarter that saw Virginia close within 81-77 following a free throw by Kymora Johnson with 2:11 left.
Prince responded with a three-point basket with 1:23 remaining to push the Huskers advantage to 84-77 and added a free throw with 15 seconds left to seal the victory giving Nebraska an 89-82 lead.
“I’ve had a front row seat watching her (Prince) play middle school to club basketball, and now that she’s in our program I’ve watched her really make some improvements and strides from her first year to her second year,” added Williams.”She brings so many things to the table, people should really be taking notice.”
The Huskers hit 50.8 percent from the floor, making 30 of 59 shots. It marked the seventh game that Nebraska, which is ranked No. 5 in the NCAA in field goal percentage, shot better than 50 percent in a game this season.
Nebraska also controlled the boards against a Virginia team which entered the game leading the NCAA in rebounding margin at 26.2. The Huskers outrebounded the Cavaliers, 37-29.
Sophomore guard Kymora Johnson, who was named to both the Wooden Award Watchlist and Naismith Player of the Year Trophy Preseason Watch, led Virginia with 24 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter.
Nebraska graduate guard Hailey Weaver, who failed to score in Monday’s win against Purdue Fort Wayne, tallied a season-high 11 points — all in the second half including consecutive three-point baskets early in the third quarter.
Forward Jessica Petrie and guard Callin Hake also scored 11 points for Nebraska which will resume action with a home game against Bradley Dec. 3.
