On to Michigan State.
No. 13 Nebraska men’s basketball shook off a cold-shooting first half to dominate New Hampshire, 86-55, Tuesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena to conclude non-conference play undefeated, heading into arguably the biggest regular-season game in Cornhuskers’ men’s basketball history Friday night at PBA against the No. 9 Spartans.
The win capped Nebraska’s first undefeated non-conference schedule since 1928-29. The Huskers went undefeated through non-conference play while winning their first two league games for the first time since 1924-25.
In its return from Christmas break, Nebraska shot just 38 percent from the field and just two-for-13 from three-point range while the Wildcats drained 47 percent of their shots from the field and from behind the arc as the Huskers nursed a 41-38 lead into halftime.
The second half was a different story. While Nebraska sunk 54 percent of its shots from the field, New Hampshire hit just four-for-26 from the field (15.4 percent) while missing all 15 three-point attempts after halftime. The Huskers’ advantage in the post also took over, as NU outrebounded UNH 25-14 and outscored the Wildcats in the paint 24-2 in the final 20 minutes of the game. A 19-1 run early in the second half grew Nebraska’s lead from 45-42 to a 64-33 thrashing, and the drama from the contest was over.
Pryce Sandfort of the Huskers led all scorers with 19 points and seven rebounds. Braden Frager tallied 15 on seven-for-eight from the free throw line. Berke Buyuktuncel contributed 14 points, while Rienk Mast tallied 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Sam Hoiberg narrowed missed a double-double with eight points and a team-leading 10 rebounds. Jack Graham led the Wildcats with 17 points while R.J. Kennedy added 11.
Ugnius Jarusevicius made his debut for NU after missing the first 13 games due to injury, and tallied seven points on three-for-three shooting.
The Huskers now prepare for Michigan State, annually a Big Ten frontrunner and national power. Friday’s game is slated for a 7 p.m. tipoff, with pregame coverage beginning at 6 p.m. on KLIN.