Huskers Fall Just Short at Clemson

 Clemson, S.C. – Nebraska had a chance to send the game into overtime, but Tai Webster’s runner at the buzzer fell short, as the Huskers suffered a 60-58 loss to Clemson in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Wednesday night.

With 2.8 seconds left, the Huskers had the ball at midcourt and got the ball to Webster, who drove to the foul line, but the ball rolled off allowing the Tigers to escape with a two-point victory.

Webster, who finished with 12 points and four rebounds, was one of four Huskers (4-3) to finish in double figures, as Glynn Watson Jr., led all scorers with 20 points, four assists and four steals. NU also got solid play from its posts, as Ed Morrow Jr. finished with 10 points and a career-high 12 rebounds, while Michael Jacobson set season bests in both points (11) and rebounds (seven).

The Huskers overcame a five-point deficit in the final 10 minutes, knotting the score at 58 after a Watson 3-pointer with 1:38 left.  On its next possession, Clemson regained the lead on a free throw by Donte Grantham with 1:22 left, but Nebraska had a trio of chances to regain the lead or send it into overtime.

On the ensuing possession, Gill missed a jumper, but the Huskers got a stop on the defensive end to get the ball back. With under 30 seconds left, Watson had his drive blocked by Jaron Blossomgame, but the Huskers kept possession before a traveling call gave Clemson the ball with 6.7 seconds left. NU then fouled Avry Holmes, who split the foul shots to make it a two-point game, setting up a Huskers’ final shot.

Blossomgame led Clemson with 15 points, but was the only Tiger to finish in double figures for the winners.

Clemson took the lead midway through the second half, using a 15-5 spurt to turn a 41-36 deficit until a 51-46 advantage after a Sidy Djitte driving basket.  The Huskers would not fold, as a Jacobson putback started a 6-2 Husker run, as NU got to within 53-52 with 5:38 remaining and would remain in striking distance the rest of the way.

Nebraska used a strong defensive first half in taking a 31-27 lead at the break. The Huskers held Clemson to 32 percent shooting and out-rebounded the Tigers, 20-19 in the opening stanza.

The Huskers got 17 first-half points from the starting backcourt of Webster and Watson Jr., and seven points from Michael Jacobson, accounting for 24 of the Huskers’ 31 points.

Nebraska took control with an 8-0 run, keyed by 3-pointers from Jacobson and Webster, to turn an eight-all deadlock into a 16-8 lead. Nebraska was opportunistic on defense, turning 12 Clemson turnovers into 12 Husker points in the first half.  Nebraska led 24-15 after an Evan Taylor driving basket with 6:03 remaining in the half and led 31-23 before the Tigers scored the last four points of the half to cut the Huskers’ halftime lead to four.

The Huskers return to Pinnacle Bank Arena for the first time in two weeks Saturday afternoon, as the Huskers host South Dakota. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. and a limited number of tickets are available by visiting Huskers.com/Tickets or calling 800-8-BIGRED during business hours. The game will be carried on the Husker Sports Network and available online on BTN Plus.

Postgame Notes

*-Glynn Watson posted his fourth 20-point game of the season with 20 points along with four assists and four steals.
*-Watson's four steals marks the third time in four games he has had at least four steals.
*-Ed Morrow Jr. finished with his second double-double of the season with 10 points and a career-high 12 rebounds. Morrow went 4-of-10 from the field, the first time since Jan. 30th that he was held under 50 percent shooting.
*-Michael Jacobson set season highs in both points ( 11) and rebounds (seven).
*-Nebraska falls to 3-3 all-time in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Two of the three losses were by two points, while the other was a five-point overtime loss.