Big Red Rolls 90-60 over Wisconsin

Lincoln- The No. 23 Nebraska men’s basketball team emphatically opened Big Ten play with a 90-60 rout of Wisconsin Wednesday evening at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

The Huskers, whose 10-0 start and 14-game win streak tied school records in both categories, shot 54 percent from the field and put five players in double figures, led by Rienk Mast’s 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Braden Frager had 15 points off the bench while Berke Buyuktuncel and Pryce Sandfort chipped in 14 apiece. Sam Hoiberg added 12 points as Nebraska (10-0, 1-0 Big Ten) became the first team to shoot 50 percent against Wisconsin this season. Nebraska’s 90 points was its highest total against the Badgers since joining the Big Ten in 2011-12. In addition, the win also marked the Huskers’ first win in a Big Ten opener since 2018.

The 30-point margin was NU’s largest in the 41-game series with Wisconsin and the largest margin of victory by Nebraska in conference play since 2016.

Wisconsin led 21-19 with just under 11 minutes left in the half before the Husker defense took control of the contest. NU held Wisconsin to 3-of-16 shooting the rest of the half, outscoring the Badgers 28-10 in that span. Two straight baskets by Mast and a Hoiberg layup keyed a 6-0 run that put the Huskers ahead for good.

Nebraska, which shot 55 percent in the first half, led 37-31 before Buyuktuncel’s first 3-pointer since Nov. 15 ignited the PBA crowd and started a 10-0 run to close the first half. The junior, who added five rebounds and a pair of blocked shots, scored five of his 14 points in the run as the Huskers took a 47-31 lead into the locker room.

Wisconsin closed to within 14 in the opening minute of the second half, but a 3-pointer from Jamarques Lawrence, who tied his career high with seven assists, and a basket by Mast quickly got the lead back to 19 at 52-33. From there, the Huskers were in control, using an 11-0 run keyed by six points from Jared Garcia, to extend the lead to 77-48 with 8:52 remaining. Nebraska led by as much as 33 down the stretch before cruising to its 14^th straight win.

Nick Boyd led Wisconsin with 20 points and four assists, while Nolan Winter added 10 points for the Badgers (7-3, 1-1 Big Ten)

The Huskers are set for their first B1G road game at No. 13 Illinois this Saturday, Dec. 13. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. (central) and the game will be broadcast on Peacock and can be heard across the Huskers Radio Network.