Nebraska subdues rugged UCLA, ties program record with 20th straight home triumph
Nebraska, as is the case with most any Big Ten basketball team with lofty goals, badly needs home-court wins in conference play.
The Huskers earned a critical one Saturday.
Emphasize “earned.”
In a battle of strong defensive teams, Nebraska held off 15th-ranked UCLA’s late charge to prevail 66-58 before a raucous crowd at sold-out Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Nebraska, now 12-2 overall and 2-1 in conference play, notched its 20th straight win in PBA, tying a program record most recently accomplished from December 20 of 2017 to January 10 of 2019.
The current streak includes 12 straight Big Ten home wins.
UCLA falls to 11-3 and 2-1.
After being tied 24-24 at halftime, the teams battled on even terms for much of the second half before Nebraska surged to a 50-38 lead with 8 minutes left in the game.
Strong defense — including a steal by Sam Hoiberg and a blocked shot by Juwan Gary — and good free-throw shooting carried Nebraska down the stretch.
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Sam Huard
Former 5-star QB Big Ten bound
- 2New
Cotton Bowl weather threat
Statement on pending snow
- 3
Paul Finebaum
In loss, Georgia became new Alabama
- 4
Texas AD blasts rumors
Sarkisian, NFL links draw response
- 5Hot
AP Poll
Hoops Top 25 shakeup
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
Sharp-shooting senior guard Brice Williams led Nebraska with 16 points on the strength of 11-for-12 free-throw shooting.
Three takes on the addition of Georgia Southern LB Marques Watson-Trent
Nebraska, UCLA battle to halftime tie
The home team came out cold.
Nebraska shot just 1-for-6 from the floor with three turnovers and trailed 7-3 at the first media timeout. Williams’ three-pointer with 15:35 left before the break broke the ice for Big Red.
The Huskers then reeled off 12 straight points to lead 15-7 with 10 minutes remaining before halftime, as the Bruins went seven minutes without scoring. But Mick Cronin’s squad fought back in a big way, reeling off a 15-0 run of their own to lead 22-15.
Nebraska scored the next nine points to take a 24-22 lead before Skyy Clark’s basket at the rim tied it 24-24 with 50 seconds left, and the score held at half.
Nebraska resumes action Tuesday at Iowa.
Never miss breaking news or another HuskerOnline article again. Click HERE to sign up for HuskerOnline’s Daily and Breaking News Newsletters.
