FIRST HALF ANALYSIS:
Both teams came out shooting really well, particularly Nebraska. The Huskers shot 55% for the opening 6 minutes. Both teams would go on separate 2:30 scoring droughts, but then Indiana woke up with authority. Jamarques Lawrence was keeping Nebraska ahead by going 4-4 from the floor and scoring 11 points, but Lamar Wilkerson pulled Indiana close.
Nebraska’s shooting started to fade, while Indiana’s picked up. Indiana would take the lead with about 5 minutes left in the half and used it to finish the half with a 12-2
run over the final 4:47. Indiana hit 11 of 13 field goals in the last 8 minutes of the half. Nebraska didn’t score in the last 2:54, and the Hoosiers took a 39-30 lead into the break.
FIRST HALF STATS:
Nebraska shot 12-30 for 40% from the floor. They went 6-18 for 33% from deep and did not attempt a free-throw. The Huskers collected 13 rebounds, 5 of which were offensive. Nebraska had 10 assists to 5 turnovers. Nebraska only had 8 points in the paint.
The Huskers were led by Jamarques Lawrence, who had 11 points. Dead ball team rebounds led the way with 4, while Berke Buyuktuncel led actual players with 3. Buyuktuncel and Sam Hoiberg had 3 assists each.
Indiana shot 15-26 for 58% from the floor. They went 6-14 for 43% from deep and 3-3 from the free-throw line. The Hoosiers collected 16 rebounds, 3 of which were offensive. Indiana had 10 assists to 7 turnovers. Indiana had 13 bench points.
The Hoosiers were led by Lamar Wilkerson, who had 15 points. Reed Bailey, Tucker Devries and Tayton Conerway all had 3 rebounds. Conerway and Devries also had 3 assists each.
SECOND HALF ANALYSIS:
Indiana came out hot in the second half, taking their 9 point lead up to 16. Wilkerson hit a 3-pointer, was fouled, and hit the subsequent free-throw to put Indiana up 49-33 with 17:42 left in the game. Nebraska was struggling, particularly Mast and Sandfort, who were a combined 1-7 from deep. This game looked far out of reach, but the Huskers said “Hold my ear” (bad corn joke I know). A 9-0 run brought the Huskers to within 4 at the 12:25 mark. This run was keyed due to Tucker Devries picking up his 4th foul just a minute before that.
By the time the under 12 timeout hit, the Huskers had climbed all the way back to tie the game at 57. Nebraska had used a 15-2 run over a 4:31 timespan. Jamarques Lawrence had set a new career high with 22 points by then as well. Wilkerson continued to be a force for Indiana, as he hit the 30-point mark with just over 8 minutes to go. Braden Frager would give Nebraska the lead after a putback with 6 minutes to go, and the Huskers never relinquished the lead.
FINAL STATS AND THOUGHTS:
Nebraska shot 29-60 for 48% from the floor. They went 14-34 for 41% from deep and 11-14 for 79% from the free-throw line. The Huskers collected 31 rebounds, 9 of which were offensive. Nebraska had 18 assists to just 8 turnovers and had 18 bench points.
The Huskers were led by Jamarques Lawrence, who had a career high 27 points. Rienk Mast led the way with 6 rebounds. Sam Hoiberg finished with 5 assists and 3 steals.
Indiana shot 26-56 for 46% from the floor. They went 11-30 for 37% from deep and 14-17 for 82% from the free-throw line. The Hoosiers collected 31 rebounds, 10 of which were offensive. Indiana had 16 assists to 14 turnovers and had 19 bench points.
The Hoosiers were led by Lamar Wilkerson, who had 32 points. Reed Bailey finished with 9 rebounds, one short of recording a double-double to go with his 10 points. Tayton Conerway had 5 assists.
Man, what a comeback! I thought for sure when Indiana was up 16, this game was over. Nebraska had absolutely no momentum between the last 5 minutes of the first half and first 5 minutes of the second half. If there is one thing I have known about this team, it is they are very gritty. They reminded me of that again today, because I had forgotten briefly. The Huskers are now perfect beyond the halfway point, and I’m not sure if I would bet against them here in the near future either.
This was another game where it inevitably took a team effort, but this game was carried by individuals throughout certain parts. Jamarques Lawrence was consistent throughout the whole game, but in the first half it was Berke and Jacobsen who helped carry the load. In the second half, it was everyone. Hoiberg, Lawrence, Sandfort, Mast and Frager all had 5+ points, and everyone who played in the second half scored.
I’m starting to run out of great things to say about this team because they are too busy showing us those things. If you haven’t started watching them, you probably won’t ever. I will tell you this, there is always plenty of room on the Nebrasketball bandwagon. Another day, another crucial, close win. The Huskers play Oregon at home next on Tuesday, January 13th. Tip-off from Pinnacle Bank Arena is set for 8:00 pm central on BTN. Go Big Red!
