Nebraska’s Jared Garcia is surrounded by court-storming fans following their win over #9 Michigan State. (Courtesy: Nebraska Athletics)
No. 13 Nebraska Clamps Down Late to Edge No. 9 Michigan State
LINCOLN, Neb. — On a night when points were scarce and every possession carried weight, No. 13 Nebraska leaned on its defense, poise and a raucous Pinnacle Bank Arena crowd to secure a gritty 58–56 win over No. 9 Michigan State on Friday night.
The Huskers (14–0, 3–0 Big Ten) didn’t light up the scoreboard, especially after halftime, but they authored a winning formula against a Top 10 opponent by forcing mistakes and making just enough timely shots. Nebraska shot just 31.6 percent overall and dipped below 25 percent in the second half, yet never lost its edge.
“I thought our guys really followed the game plan,” head coach Fred Hoiberg said. “Not very often are you going to win a game when you shoot under 25% in the second half against a Top 10 team. But I thought our activity on the defensive end — 19 turnovers is what we forced — that was the difference.”
Michigan State turned the ball over 19 times, leading to critical Nebraska opportunities in a game that featured 14 lead changes and was tied 11 times. The Spartans held a 33–33 tie at halftime, then traded punches throughout a tense second half that saw neither team lead by more than nine.
Nebraska’s defensive urgency was constant, a point Jamarques Lawrence summed up succinctly.
“Urgency. Urgency,” Lawrence said. “Nothing else to say.”
The Huskers’ biggest offensive boost came from Rienk Mast, who poured in a game-high 19 points while knocking down 6-of-13 from beyond the arc. After going two games without a made three, Mast rediscovered his touch at the perfect time, including a clutch three with 1:54 remaining that put Nebraska ahead for good.
“The last two games I didn’t hit a three, so I got a little bit of work in with Coach Hoiberg,” Mast said. “I had good confidence going into this game that the shot was going to fall again. When Pryce got into foul trouble, I knew there was going to be a little more load on me to take some shots and luckily they went down.”
Pryce Sandfort finished with 13 points, while Lawrence added 12. Braden Frager chipped in nine points and four steals, and Sam Hoiberg made his presence felt with relentless effort, dishing out five assists and battling on the glass.
Down late, Nebraska never panicked. Trailing at the under-four media timeout, the Huskers stayed composed and executed in the closing moments, forcing Michigan State into empty possessions and missed free throws in the final seconds.
“When you’re down at the under-four media timeout and you don’t see any panic — guys saying, ‘This is what it’s all about,’” Hoiberg said. “Our guys found a way.”
The atmosphere inside Pinnacle Bank Arena played a significant role, with an announced crowd of 14,841 creating one of the loudest environments of the season.
“It was one of the best crowds I’ve been a part of in my time here,” Hoiberg said. “That played a huge factor in the win. But once we got in the locker room, they were ready to move past it.”
Mast echoed the sentiment from the floor.
“It was crazy — the loudest game I’ve ever played in ever,” he said. “The fans here are amazing. The atmosphere, the people are just so good. I’m just blessed to be a part of this journey.”
Even Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo was impressed.
“The environment was the best I’ve seen here — and it’s always good here — but it was one of the best I’ve seen in a lot of years anywhere in the Big Ten,” Izzo said.
Izzo also praised Nebraska freshman Braden Frager and singled out Sam Hoiberg for his effort.
“I think [Braden Frager] is gonna be a hell of a player,” Izzo said. “That’s a hell of a freshman.”
“My favorite player, Sam [Hoiberg], is back from last year,” Izzo added. “There’s not another kid in the Big Ten or NCAA basketball that plays harder than that kid.”
Michigan State (12–2, 2–1 Big Ten) was led by Jaxon Kohler’s 19 points and 11 rebounds, but the Spartans couldn’t overcome Nebraska’s defensive pressure late or missed opportunities at the free-throw line in the final seconds.
Nebraska, meanwhile, remained unbeaten and improved to 3–0 in Big Ten play, adding another résumé win in front of a sold-out Pinnacle Bank Arena. The Huskers quickly turn their attention forward, returning to action Monday night when they play Ohio State in Columbus.