FIRST HALF ANALYSIS:
It’s cold and snowy here in Nebraska, and with the way the game started for the Huskers, you would think it was colder judging by the Husker shooting. USC Upstate controlled the half for a very large portion of it, with Carmelo Adkins scoring 6 quick points for the Spartans. Berke Buyuktuncel and Rienk Mast had 4 points each to help Nebraska stay in it early. The Spartans and Huskers somewhat reversed roles, as USC Upstate came out of the gate hot from the floor and shooting the ball well from beyond the arc.
Advertisement
Nebraska meanwhile was chucking snowballs at the rim. USC Upstate had a double-digit lead for the better part of 6 minutes of the first half, controlling the Husker offense and keeping them off the glass. The Husker defense finally woke up and shut down the Spartans for a long period of time, with the Huskers using a 17-0 run to take a 5 point lead. Isaiah Skinner hit a 3 at the horn for USC Upstate, and Nebraska took a 32-30 lead into the half.
FIRST HALF STATS:
USC Upstate shot 12-31 for 39% from the floor. They went 6-15 for 40% from deep and 0-2 from the free-throw line. The Spartans collected 17 rebounds, 3 of which were offensive. USC Upstate had 6 turnovers and 5 assists and 5 steals. They had 13 bench points.
Advertisement
The Spartans were led by Isaiah Skinner and Karmani Gregory, who each had 9 points. Carmelo Adkins led the way with 4 reb0unds. Adkins and Skinner had 2 steals each.
Nebraska shot 11-29 for 38% from the floor. They went 5-15 for 33% from deep and 5-7 for 71% from the free-throw line. The Huskers collected 22 rebounds, 5 of which were offensive. Nebraska had 7 turnovers and 7 assists. They had 4 bench points, all from Braden Frager.
The Huskers were led by Pryce Sandfort, who had 11 points. Rienk Mast had 10. Mast and Jared Garcia had 4 rebounds each. Jamarques Lawrence and Cale Jacobsen had 2 assists each.
Advertisement
SECOND HALF ANALYSIS:
Nebraska did a good job of extending the minimal lead early in the second half. Pryce Sandfort and Rienk Mast helped to extend the lead with a couple of quick buckets. The Husker defense did a really good job of keeping the Spartans off the glass, keeping their attempts to a minimum. Both teams won’t exactly write home about how the shooting went on the afternoon.
Nebraska did open up a double-digit lead, but the Spartans didn’t go quietly into the cold afternoon. With just a couple of minutes left, USC Upstate employed a press, which was effective as they reduced the Husker lead down to 6 with about 30 seconds left. Nebraska would hit a couple of free-throws to eventually ice the game.
FINAL STATS AND THOUGHTS:
USC Upstate shot 24-66 for 36% from the floor. They went 12-35 for 34% from deep and 3-8 for 38% from the free-throw line. The Spartans collected 36 rebounds, 9 of which were offensive. They had 11 assists and 11 turnovers. They had 17 bench points.
Advertisement
The Spartans were led by Karmani Gregory, who had 20 points. Jafeth Martinez led the way with 9 rebounds. Gregory had 4 assists. Isaiah Skinner had 4 steals.
Nebraska shot 25-60 for 42% from the floor. They went 8-30 for 27% from deep and 14-18 for 78% from the free-throw line. The Huskers collected 45 rebounds, 10 of which were offensive. They had 15 assists and 13 turnovers. They had 25 bench points.
The Huskers were led by Pryce Sandfort, who had 20 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. It was an all-around good game from Pryce. Rienk Mast had 15 points. Berke Buyuktuncel had 7 rebounds. Cale Jacobsen had 5 steals.
This one had ugly written all over it for a very large portion of each half. Neither team could hold a double-digit lead for very long. The Huskers had to use a 17-0 run in the first half just to take the lead, which they never relinquished once they got it. However, another cold shooting day from beyond the arc will not help the team’s confidence. Losing Connor Essegian to a season-ending ankle injury against Winthrop will only exacerbate the 3-point woes.
Advertisement
Nebraska gets a full week off before the Creighton Bluejays come to visit PBA. If Nebraska doesn’t shoot the ball well again, there is the very real possibility that the nation’s longest win streak will go bye-bye. Creighton is dealing with some injuries themselves, but they have played way tougher competition than their record indicates. Nebraska has to be ready to go from the jump, otherwise they will be in trouble. Go Big Red!
