LINCOLN — Two illnesses have given Nebraska freshman guard Tear'a Laudermill trouble in her first season; she had played just one game since Nov. 30 because of them.
But her entrance into Thursday's 62-48 win against Indiana provided the Huskers with a spark, thanks to her speed, defense and willingness to penetrate into the lane.
"We need Tear'a," Nebraska coach Connie Yori said. "I've been saying that for quite awhile. She is, I think, a difference-maker because of her speed and ability to guard the ball. She's disruptive that way. And on the offensive end, she can score.
"She's still growing in terms of shot selection, because she's getting better in that area. But she's definitely better."
Yori said she expects Laudermill to play the rest of the season "unless something else comes up." While Laudermill is a bit behind in conditioning, Yori said the NU staff has been working on that with her in the last month.
"I don't think she's in great shape right now because of sitting out," Yori said. "But we try to do some extra things with her."
Slow start no concern for Nebraska coach
Nebraska players said they didn't take Indiana — which just lost by 41 to Minnesota — lightly. A slow start — in which the Hoosiers jumped to a 20-12 lead — might have suggested otherwise, but Yori said slow starts have been common for the Huskers.
"I wasn't super concerned," Yori said. "It's a 40-minute game."
Yori was more concerned about NU's struggles on the blocks against Indiana's defense. IU used a 2-3 zone, and the Huskers didn't struggle to penetrate it. They struggled to make shots once they did.
"We've got to get stronger at the basket and finish," she said.
— Sam McKewon
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