In one of the biggest games in recent memory for Nebraska, the 13th-ranked Cornhuskers were able to survive a late second-half comeback by No. 9 Michigan State to stay undefeated.
Cornhuskers Defense Clamps Down on Michigan State in Win
After a first half that saw both Michigan State and Nebraska light it up from three, the second half was not kind to either team’s offense. Thankfully for Nebraska, their defense put on a clinic in the second half as they held the Spartans to zero points over a nearly 7-minute span to extend their lead to 9 halfway through the penultimate period.
The Cornhuskers’ defense also seemingly flustered a disciplined Michigan State squad, as they forced 17 turnovers for the game. MSU came into the game ranked one of the best in the BIG 10 in turnovers committed per game. The game also represented just the second true road game of the season for Michigan State.
While the offense played a sort of backseat role in Nebraska’s win, the Cornhuskers did just enough on that side of the floor in the win. Senior Ryan Mast led the way on offense for Nebraska, finishing with 19 points on 6 made threes, with his sixth three giving Nebraska the lead with 90 seconds left in the game.
Michigan State’s Comeback Attempt Falls Short Despite Jeremy Fears Jr’s Second-Half Brilliance
Tonight’s game perfectly represented how Michigan State has looked for the last several years under Tom Izzo. The Spartans looked lost on offense, with Nebraska looking to cruise to the win, but MSU somehow clawed its way back into the game to almost pull out the win.
That late run came via a brilliant second-half performance by sophomore Guard Jeremy Fears Jr, who caught fire from the floor after a dismal showing in the first half. Fears scored 12 points in the second half to finish with 14 points for the game, while also dishing out 7 assists in the loss.
As Fears was feasting in the second half, it was the Jaxon Kohler show in the first half as the Senior kept it close for the Spartans at the half. The Utah native dropped 14 points in the first period on a perfect 5 for 5 from the floor. Kohler would go on to finish with a solid 19 points and 11 rebounds for the game.
Nebraska Takes Over First Place In the BIG 10 For Now
While Michigan Wolverines fans may scoff at Nebraska now occupying first place in the BIG 10, the win tonight more than proves this Cornhuskers squad is for real this season. In one of the toughest conferences in all of college basketball, being in first place at any point should be seen as a tremendous achievement, even if it’s a bit early in the conference season.
For Nebraska, the road only gets tougher from this point forward, as the Cornhuskers will be on the road for the next two games against Ohio State and Indiana. Those games will represent just the second and third true road games of the season for Nebraska. Both games will serve as a great test to see if the Cornhuskers’ chances at a BIG 10 regular season title are just wishful thinking or not.
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