PISCATAWAY, NJ —Nebraska shot nearly 60 percent against the Big Ten’s best defense Tuesday night, riding an impressive offensive performance to an 82-72 road victory at Rutgers.
The Huskers (13-14, 6-10) shot 58.2 percent on the game, knocking down 32-of-55 shots. NU was 20-of-27 (74 percent) from inside the arc, and the Huskers added 12 3-pointers (12-for-28, 43 percent). Keisei Tominaga paced four Huskers in double figures with 22 points, his fourth straight 20-point effort. New Jersey native C.J. Wilcher added 17 points, four rebounds and four assists, while Sam Griesel produced a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds while dishing out five assists. Derrick Walker rounded out the double-figure scorers with 16 points on 8-of-10 shooting.
Nebraska took advantage of excellent ball movement in Tuesday’s game, piling up 16 assists on 32 made field goals. Defensively, the Huskers scored 16 points off turnovers, outscoring Rutgers (16-10, 8-7) in that category.
How It Happened
After falling behind 35-34, Nebraska went on a 6-0 run with 1:13 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Griesel, to take a 40-35 lead, a score that would hold until halftime. Nebraska relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down six shots to account for 18 of its 40 points.
Following intermission, Nebraska kept widening that lead, expanding it to 61-54 before going on a 5-0 run, finished off by Sam Hoiberg’s three, to grow the lead to 66-54 with 7:55 to go in the contest. The Scarlet Knights narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Cornhuskers still cruised the rest of the way for the 82-72 win. Nebraska shot well from three-point range in the half, hitting six shots from deep to score 18 of its 42 points.
The Huskers begin a three-game homestand on Sunday afternoon, as the Maryland Terrapins come to town. Tipoff for the Alunmi Weekend game is set for 4 p.m. and tickets are available by visiting Huskers.com/Tickets.
Game Notes*-Nebraska’s 82 points is the most allowed by a Rutgers opponent at Jersey Mike’s Arena since Illinois scored 88 on Dec. 20, 2020. Rutgers was seventh nationally in scoring defense, allowing a Big Ten low 59.1 ppg
*-Nebraska’s 82 points was its highest total in Big Ten play and second-highest total of the season.
*-Nebraska shot 58.2 percent from the field, its second-highest total of the year and highest in Big Ten play. Rutgers entered the contest sixth nationally in field goal defense (38.2 pct).
*-Nebraska tied a season high with 12 3-pointers (also vs. Boston College). Prior to tonight. NU’s Big Ten high was nine against Purdue and Northwestern.
*-Keisei Tominaga finished with 22 points, his fourth consecutive 20-point game and sixth of the season
*-Tominaga is the first Husker with four straight 20-point game since Bryce McGowens last season.
*-Sam Griesel posted his third double-double of the season with 12 points and 12 rebounds
*-C.J. Wilcher reached double figures for the first time since Jan. 21 and eighth time this season with 17 points. His five 3-pointers was a career high (4 on three occasions, the most recently against Boston College on Nov. 30).
*-Nebraska used its ninth different lineup of the season tonight. It is the seventh different lineup in the last 11 games.
*-Nebraska started both New Jersey natives (C.J. Wilcher and Jamarques Lawrence tonight). Both players are Plainfield, N.J. natives.
