Braden Frager Shines in Nebraska’s Victory
In a compelling display of talent, Braden Frager came off the bench to score 21 points, guiding the 12th-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers to a 74-61 victory over the Maryland Terrapins in Lincoln on Wednesday night. This win marks a significant milestone for Nebraska, bringing their record to 24-4 overall and 13-4 in Big Ten conference play, tying them for second place with Illinois and matching the school’s record for most wins in the conference.
Key Contributions from Teammates
Supporting Frager, Pryce Sandfort contributed a crucial 16 points, highlighted by key three-pointers in the closing minutes. In the latter part of the game, Rienk Mast made a strong impact, with 11 of his 13 points occurring in the second half. Sam Hoiberg also added to the scoreboard with 12 points, alongside seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
Maryland’s Struggles
For Maryland, which now holds a disappointing 11-17 record and a 4-13 mark in the Big Ten, Andre Mills shone in the second half, netting 16 of his 19 points after halftime. Elijah Saunders impressively scored all 15 points from beyond the arc, achieving a career-best five three-pointers, while Solomon Washington contributed 13 points to the effort.
Game Highlights
Although Nebraska’s offensive rhythm experienced some early struggles—failing to score for nearly six minutes at the start of the game—they eventually found their groove, particularly in the second half where they capitalized on transition opportunities. Frager’s free throws and subsequent 3-pointer gave Nebraska a much-needed lead with just under nine minutes remaining, and Sandfort’s steal and three-pointer extended it to a double-digit advantage with just over five minutes to go. The Huskers sealed their win with an impressive late-game surge, outscoring the Terrapins 15-3.
Maryland’s Ongoing Challenges
Notably, Maryland’s David Coit, who leads the Terrapins in scoring at an average of 14.4 points per game, struggled significantly against Nebraska, finishing with only six points and totaling just eight points across the last two games. Maryland’s loss represents their tenth consecutive defeat against ranked teams since last season.
Upcoming Matches
Maryland’s next challenge will see them host Rutgers this upcoming Sunday, whereas Nebraska prepares to head out west to face Southern California on Saturday.
