Historically, Indiana has typically gotten the better of Nebraska.
The last four meetings have told a different story. Friday night was the latest chapter in Nebraska’s recent domination of the Hoosiers. The Huskers used a late 17-1 run to pull away in an 85-68 win at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Indiana had its chances throughout the game, but ultimately, the lack of execution cost them a chance at a valuable Big Ten road win.
The opening minutes seemed like the beginning of a long night for the Hoosiers. Nebraska started with the hot hand and built a 13-3 lead in the first three minutes. Indiana, however, found its footing. The Hoosiers took their first lead with 11:37 left in the first half and continued a seesaw battle between the Huskers for the remainder of the first and parts of the second half. At the break, Indiana was down 44-41.
As the second half started, Indiana’s troubles began to resurface as the Hoosiers failed to offer resistance against a Nebraska offense that remained red hot.
“We had no defensive presence to start the game,” Mike Woodson said postgame. “That’s something that we just gotta we gotta keep working and get it fixed, because especially on the road… you know, we had our opportunities. We were a five-point game, I think, with five minutes on the clock, but we just couldn’t make shots. We had good looks.”
The Hoosiers never seemed to find an offensive rhythm, mainly because two of their best scoring options were off the floor for most of the game. Mackenzie Mgbako and Malik Reneau battled foul trouble throughout the game.
Myles Rice delivered a solid second-half performance to boost IU but couldn’t take on the Huskers alone. He finished with 14 second-half points out of Indiana’s 27, but his teammates couldn’t get anything rolling. No other Hoosier scored more than three points in the second half.
The Hoosiers had a healthy dose of solid looks from the floor in the second half but shot a dismal 27.8 percent. Indiana attempted 35 3-pointers, the most in a game for the program in the Mike Woodson era. However, after starting the game 5-for-8, they converted just eight of those looks. Indiana was 3-for-20 on 3s in the second half.
“We had good looks,” Woodson said. “Just didn’t make them. We could take 30, 40, 50 threes. You gotta step up and make them when you take them.”
Coming off a 37-point drubbing at Michigan State in its last game, Nebraska played a well-rounded game that showcased its tough defense and mature offense. The Huskers finished the game shooting 61 percent, and their leading scorer, Brice Williams, scored a game-high 30 points.
“They made shots, but you know, we got to be better defensively,” Woodson said. “I’m on these guys constantly. We work on defense and, you know, I mean, I know defense wins, especially when you’re not making shots. At least it keeps you in the ball game. Tonight, they added both plays, they made shots, and we weren’t very good defensively.”
There was a small batch of hope with under seven minutes to go in the second half. Luke Goode made a three off his own rebound to bring the game within one possession at 68-67. From there, Nebraska went on its decisive 17-1 run as Indiana went scoreless in the final 3:08.
Indiana lost to Nebraska for the fourth straight time with each defeat by at least 15 points.
With an NCAA tournament resume that looks bare, Friday marked another contest in which the Hoosiers failed to put together a solid effort for 40 minutes. At 1-1 in Big Ten play and with just two non-conference games remaining, Indiana is trending towards another season on the outside looking in of March Madness.
(Photo credit: IU Athletics)
Filed to: Nebraska Cornhuskers
