Nebraska Triumphs Over Rutgers
In a commanding performance on Saturday, No. 9 Nebraska secured an 80-68 victory against Rutgers in Piscataway, New Jersey, aided by a standout performance from Rienk Mast, who notched 26 points along with eight rebounds. The Cornhuskers improved their record to 21 wins and just 2 losses, marking their tenth victory in Big Ten play following a challenging week where they suffered their first defeats of the season against highly ranked opponents, No. 2 Michigan and No. 5 Illinois.
Rutgers’ Ongoing Struggles
This loss further extends Rutgers’ struggles, as they have now faced defeat across their last seven games, dropping to 9-15 overall and 2-11 in conference matchups. Despite the setback, Tarig Francis led the Scarlet Knights with 16 points, receiving support from Kaden Powers with 14 and Darren Buchanan Jr. contributing 10.
Game Highlights
Nebraska demonstrated their dominance throughout the game, particularly in the second half where they achieved their largest lead at 61-41 following a layup from Braden Frager with just over 12 minutes remaining. Although the Scarlet Knights managed to cut the deficit to 10 in the final seconds, the Cornhuskers maintained control. Notably, Nebraska capitalized on Rutgers’ 15 turnovers, translating those into 15 crucial points.
Another key element in Nebraska’s offensive strategy was the contributions from Pryce Sandfort, who added 15 points, Sam Hoiberg with 13, and Jamarques Lawrence contributing 12. Frager, on the other hand, had a quieter game than usual, as he was limited to only six points, significantly lower than his recent performances where he averaged over 20 points in previous games.
Looking Ahead
Entering their next matchup, Nebraska will defend home court against No. 12 Purdue on Tuesday, while Rutgers is set to host Maryland on February 15. This victory for the Cornhuskers propels them forward as they aim to solidify their standing in the competitive Big Ten Conference.
