Nebraska Cornhuskers Secure Victory Over Northwestern
In a decisive matchup on Saturday, the No. 7 Nebraska Cornhuskers secured a 68-49 victory over Northwestern, overcoming an initially sluggish performance. Pryce Sandfort was the standout player for Nebraska, contributing an impressive 29 points, while Sam Hoiberg added 14 points to help the team improve their record to 22-3 overall and 11-3 in the Big Ten Conference.
Game Highlights
The Cornhuskers struggled with an unusually high number of turnovers, recording 18, and faced difficulties with their shooting, particularly in the first half. Despite these challenges, they managed to celebrate alumni weekend in front of over 75 former players, which seemed to energize the team.
The game remained tight, with Northwestern leading 28-27 at halftime and even pushing ahead by eight points in the first half. However, the Wildcats’ offensive struggles became evident as they connected on only three shots in the final 13 minutes, allowing Nebraska to regain control. The turning point came midway through the second half when reserve guard Cale Jacobsen scored eight of his 10 points during a crucial 14-4 run that put the Cornhuskers ahead 52-43.
Northwestern’s Disappointment
For Northwestern, whose aspirations included achieving their highest-ranked win on the road in nearly a decade, the outcome was disappointing. Nick Martinelli, the Big Ten’s leading scorer averaging 22.5 points per game, had a tough outing, managing just 11 points after missing his initial six attempts. The Wildcats, who previously led second-ranked Michigan at home before falling in that game, struggled with shooting, finishing the matchup with a dismal 35% field goal success rate and hitting only 1 of their 7 attempts from beyond the arc.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Northwestern is set to host Maryland on Wednesday, while Nebraska will travel to face Iowa on Tuesday.
