LINCOLN - The two exhibition games were all about the Nebraska women's basketball team's new and improved post game.
Natalie Romeo reminded future opponents during Saturday's regular-season opener that they shouldn't disregard the perimeter game, either.
The sophomore guard hit 6 of 9 3-pointers and scored 30 points to lead the Huskers to a 96-46 dismantling of Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
The 30 points were the most scored in school history in a season opener - and Romeo accomplished that by coming off the bench. She didn't start because she missed multiple practices during the week because of illness.
"I'm not surprised at all that Nat had six 3s today. She's in the gym constantly working on her 3s," freshman teammate Jessica Shepard said. "She's a phenomenal shooter."
Shepard set school records of her own Saturday. Her 24 points and 13 rebounds were the most by a freshman in an opener.
The 6-foot-4 Fremont native had averaged 35.5 points and 12 rebounds in Nebraska's two exhibition wins.
"You were able to see some things in her game today that you haven't seen previously," Nebraska coach Connie Yori said. "She's got more to her game than just a low post presence."
Those other parts to her game showed up in the opening minutes of the second half. Shepard stole the ball in the backcourt and started a fast break the other way. She then found Romeo breaking to the basket for a layup.
"I think we work together well," Romeo said. "It's fun playing with her."
Shepard got another steal 15 seconds later and beat the Arkansas-Pine Bluff defense down the court for a layup.
"When I was growing up, I was playing guard mainly," Shepard said. "That's what I like to do, actually."
Romeo hit three 3s and scored 15 of her points in the third quarter as Nebraska stretched its lead from 20 points to 74-33.
That allowed Yori to play all 12 Huskers at least eight minutes. Thanks to Romeo, the bench scored 56 of NU's points. The Huskers also shot 51.5 percent from the field, enjoyed a 50-35 rebounding edge and committed only six turnovers.
"For an opener, I thought we did a lot of good things," Yori said. "We were very efficient offensively, our assist-to-turnover ratio (21-6) was outstanding. Obviously we're going to continue to see better competition, but I thought we played within ourselves. We were unselfish, played team basketball."
Nebraska returns to action Monday at home against North Florida at 7 p.m. North Florida won its opener Friday, edging UMKC 62-55.
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