Nebraska’s Braden Frager (5) celebrates a made basket against Ohio State. (Courtesy: FOX Sports)
No. 10 Nebraska Holds Off the Buckeyes, Stays a Perfect 15-0
COLUMBUS, Ohio — No. 10 Nebraska continues to look every bit like a team built for March.
Behind a fast start, timely depth and a clutch late push led by Braden Frager, the Huskers earned a gritty 72-69 road win at Ohio State on Monday night at the Schottenstein Center, improving to 15-0 overall and 4-0 in Big Ten play.
Nebraska appeared in control early, jumping out to a double-digit lead in the first half and taking a 38-31 advantage into the break. But as expected in a hostile Big Ten environment, the Buckeyes responded in the second half, briefly taking the lead and forcing Nebraska to execute late.
“When they went up one, I thought our resiliency and resolve [was great] and we found a way to go on a 9-0 run,” head coach Fred Hoiberg said. “I’m proud of them for finding a way.”
That decisive run flipped the game back in Nebraska’s favor and showcased the composure Hoiberg has repeatedly praised throughout the Huskers’ unbeaten start.
“The key was getting off to a good start,” Hoiberg said. “We get up double digits at Illinois, we have a little bit of a cushion when they go on their run, and then we made the plays down the stretch. That’s exactly what happened today.”
Frager was at the center of those plays late. The freshman guard finished with a team-high 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting, repeatedly attacking downhill against Ohio State’s pressure defense and converting in key moments during the final minutes.
“Ohio State was pressuring us so much — sometimes when you play that type of defense, you just have to put it in somebody’s hands and let them make a play,” Hoiberg said. “We did it to Braden tonight and it paid off for us.”
Frager embraced the moment, saying the performance reflected the mindset Nebraska has adopted on the road.
“Men win on the road, and you have to be tough — and I feel like the tougher team won today,” Frager said.
Nebraska’s balance again proved decisive. The Huskers received double-figure scoring from Frager (15), Rienk Mast (12), Pryce Sandfort (11) and Jamarques Lawrence (11), while Sam Hoiberg added eight points, nine rebounds and steady ball handling. Nebraska outscored Ohio State 22-0 in bench points and committed just twelve turnovers against aggressive Buckeye pressure.
“Our main guys didn’t score as much as normal and in a game like today, you’re gonna need guys to step up,” Sam Hoiberg said. “Everyone I thought stepped up and played a big role in this win. If you’re gonna stay in the top ten, you gotta have guys that step up every single night.”
The win also underscored how Nebraska is handling its growing national profile. Ranked in the top ten and unbeaten in conference play, the Huskers are now every opponent’s circled game.
“These guys have been professional,” Fred Hoiberg said. “That’s the biggest thing that I give them credit for throughout this stretch is nobody is getting too high. Great teams find a way to win these games.”
For Frager, that approach is rooted in chemistry more than rankings.
“We all love each other, we all play for each other,” he said. “That’s the biggest thing — just playing for each other. We don’t really care about the outside noise, all we’re worried about is what’s within the group.”
Ohio State was led by John Mobley Jr.’s 22 points, but Nebraska’s ability to withstand late pressure and close at the free-throw line sealed another statement road win.
In a league where no night comes easy, Nebraska continues to pass every test — now as the hunted, not the hunter.