FIRST HALF ANALYSIS:
The first half was definitely one that was shaking off the rust and jitters of the first game. Nebraska got the first bucket of the game from Sam Hoiberg, but then promptly trailed. Cold shooting, multiple
turnovers and a handful of offensive rebounds were the name of the opening 8 minutes.
West Georgia would hold a 11-7 lead at the under 12 timeout. Nebraska by that time was just 3-16 from the floor, including just 1-8 from deep and had committed 5 turnovers. West Georgia wasn’t shooting much better, as they were 4-15 in the opening 8 minutes.
At the under 8 timeout, Nebraska had 5 made field goals and 5 turnovers, while West Georgia had 6 of each. Nebraska would tie the game at 21 and finally retake the lead at 24-23 with 3:19 left in the half. Nebraska would extend the lead just a little and took a 30-25 lead into the half.
FIRST HALF STATS:
West Georgia shot 10-32 for 31% from the floor and 1-10 for 10% from deep. They were 4-4 from the free-throw line. The Wolves had 22 rebounds, 6 of which were offensive. They had 8 turnovers compared to 4 assists.
The Wolves were led by Shelton Williams-Dryden and Kenneth Chime, who had 6 points each. Chime also led the way with 6 rebounds and 3 blocks. Kolten Griffin had 3 assists.
Nebraska shot 10-32 for 31% from the floor and 3-14 for 21% from deep. They were 7-9 for 78% from the free-throw line. The Huskers had 22 rebounds, 7 of which were offensive. Nebraska had 5 assists and 5 turnovers.
The Huskers were led by Braden Frager, who had 10 points. Rienk Mast had 8 rebounds to pace Nebraska. Jamarques Lawrence had 2 assists and Sam Hoiberg had 2 steals.
SECOND HALF ANALYSIS:
Nebraska came out hot in the second half, opening with a quick 10-0 run to expand the lead to 15. The run expanded to 18-2 in the opening 5:45 of the half. Rienk Mast had 10 rebounds by the under 16 timeout. Braden Frager is a name Husker fans will have to keep track of, as he led the way for Nebraska.
The Huskers were shooting 50% from the floor in the first 12 minutes of the half, blowing the door wide open. Balanced scoring really helped Nebraska, as 4 different guys had 10 points each with 6 minutes remaining. Rienk Mast completed his double-double with a bucket at the 6-minute mark. Nebraska’s hot shooting continued for the rest of the half, and they never were troubled in the final frame. Overall, a really solid half from Nebraska.
FINAL STATS AND THOUGHTS:
West Georgia shot 19-65 for 29% from the floor and 4-24 for 17% from deep. They went 11-13 for 85% from the free-throw line. The Wolves collected 37 rebounds, 12 of which were offensive. West Georgia committed 12 turnovers to just 8 assists. The Wolves had 11 bench points.
The Wolves were led by Shelton Williams-Dryden, who had 14 points. Chas Lewless had 11. Kenneth Chime had 7 rebounds, while Lewless and Xavier Shegog had 6 each. Kolten Griffen led the way with 4 assists.
Nebraska shot 30-64 for 47% from the floor and 10-32 for 31% from deep. They went 16-25 for 64% from the free-throw line. The Huskers collected 49 rebounds, 15 of which were offensive. Nebraska had 20 assists to just 9 turnovers. The Huskers had 46 bench points.
The Huskers were led by Braden Frager, who had 22 points. Jamarques Lawrence had 18. Rienk Mast had 11 rebounds as part of his double-double. Berke Buyuktuncel and Sam Hoiberg each had 7 rebounds. Lawrence led the way with 6 assists.
Nebraska definitely struggled to knock the rust off in the opening 20 minutes. When the second half started, the rust had definitely gone. Much better defense, followed by better shot selection and ball movement created havoc for West Georgia. The Huskers are going to face far tougher competition in the non-conference, but this was a solid way of getting their feet wet.
Braden Frager will be a guy who can carry Nebraska the way Brice Williams did, but the good thing is they won’t need him to. The thing that got the Huskers to the NCAA Tournament two years ago was balanced scoring amongst 4 or 5 guys, with a different guy leading the way each night. This team can certainly do that. Mix that with the solid defense like they played in the second half tonight, and they can certainly surprise some people.
