Basketball competitions recently showcased a mix of outcomes for Nebraska and Indiana, featuring intense matchups and notable individual efforts. The Nebraska women's team secured a regular-season win against Indiana but later fell to them in the Big Ten Tournament. Conversely, the Nebraska men's team delivered a remarkable comeback victory over Indiana, marking significant shifts in team records and conference standings.
Women's Basketball: Nebraska and Indiana Trade Wins
The women's basketball teams of Nebraska and Indiana engaged in two pivotal games, with each program claiming a victory.
Regular Season: Nebraska Defeats Indiana in Lincoln
On Thursday night at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, the No. 25 Nebraska women's team triumphed over Indiana with a final score of 78-73. This victory significantly boosted Nebraska's overall record to 14-2 and their Big Ten conference record to 3-2. In contrast, Indiana's record shifted to 11-6 overall and 0-5 in conference play.
The game was tied 53-53 entering the fourth quarter, after which Nebraska initiated a decisive 10-2 run to establish a lead it maintained until the end.
Player Performances:
- Nebraska: Britt Prince led with 20 points (including 11 in the fourth quarter), 7 assists, and 1 turnover. Jessica Petrie contributed 18 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 assists. Logan Nissley scored 11 points. Eliza Maupin added 9 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Amiah Hargrove and Petra Bozan each recorded 9 and 3 points, respectively, alongside 6 rebounds each.
- Indiana: Shay Ciezki was the game's high scorer with an impressive 31 points. Zania Socka-Nguemen achieved a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Maya Makulusky scored 12 points, all in the second half.
Team Statistics:
- Nebraska: Shot 41.8% from the field (28-of-67), 38.1% from three-point range (8-of-21), and 73.7% from the free-throw line (14-of-19). They recorded 38 rebounds and a strong 20-7 assist-to-turnover ratio.
- Indiana: Shot 50.9% from the field (29-of-57), showcasing efficient offense. They also shot 30.8% from three-point range (4-of-13) and 84.6% from the free-throw line (11-of-13), with 32 rebounds and 11 turnovers.
Nebraska was subsequently scheduled to play No. 4 UCLA at home.
Big Ten Tournament: Indiana Stages Comeback to Eliminate Nebraska
In a dramatic turnaround during the first round of the Big Ten Conference Tournament in Indianapolis, 13-seed Indiana defeated 12-seed Nebraska 72-69. This victory improved Indiana's record to 18-13, while Nebraska's record dropped to 18-12. Indiana's win propelled them to the second round, where they were set to face 5-seed Ohio State.
Nebraska initially seized control of the game, opening with a 6-0 run and quickly establishing a double-digit advantage by the middle of the first quarter, even reaching a 20-point lead in the second quarter. Nebraska shot an impressive 68.8% in the opening frame before their shooting percentage began to decline.
Indiana initiated a significant comeback in the third quarter with a 10-0 run, effectively reducing an 18-point deficit to just eight by the end of the quarter.
The deficit was further cut to three points early in the fourth quarter. Nebraska managed to maintain a two-possession lead for five minutes but then experienced a crucial scoring drought with 2:44 remaining. The Hoosiers capitalized with another 10-0 run, taking their first lead of the game with 1:06 left. Amiah Hargrove scored a layup with 17 seconds remaining, bringing Nebraska within one point. However, both Britt Prince and Logan Nissley missed potential game-tying three-pointers for Nebraska after two made free throws by Indiana.
Indiana concluded the game on a decisive 12-2 run, making all of its final six shots, while Nebraska managed only 1-for-7 of its final attempts.
Key Statistics:
- Nebraska: Shot 41.8% from the field, including 5-of-22 from three-point range.
- Indiana: Shot 50.9% from the field, making 5-of-13 from three-point range.
Player Performances:
- Nebraska: Amiah Hargrove led with 23 points. Britt Prince contributed 20 points and eight assists. Jessica Petrie recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.
- Indiana: Shay Ciezki led with 22 points. Edessa Noyan achieved a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Post-Tournament Outlook for Nebraska:
Nebraska's exit from the tournament meant the team would await the NCAA Tournament Selection Show to determine their postseason fate. ESPN's Charlie Creme had previously placed Nebraska among the "Last Four In," with the WNIT as another potential postseason destination if they were not selected for the NCAA Tournament.
Men's Basketball: Nebraska Overcomes Deficit to Defeat Indiana
In a thrilling road performance, the No. 10 Nebraska men's basketball team defeated Indiana 83-77 at Assembly Hall, dramatically overcoming a 16-point second-half deficit.
Nebraska trailed 39-30 at halftime, and Indiana extended its lead to a formidable 51-35 early in the second half.
Nebraska then mounted an incredible comeback, utilizing a 13-0 scoring run to tie the game, followed by an even more impactful 16-1 run that gave them a 75-66 lead with just 3:41 remaining.
Nebraska ultimately secured the victory by converting a remarkable 11-of-14 free throws in the second half.
Player Performances:
- Nebraska: Jamarques Lawrence led with a career-high 27 points, scoring 16 of those in the second half. He made 8-of-13 shots, including five 3-pointers, and contributed five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Other players in double-figures included Rienk Mast with 13 points, Pryce Sandfort with 12 points, and Braden Frager with 11 points. Cale Jacobsen added seven points, Berke Buyuktuncel scored eight points, and Sam Hoiberg contributed five points, five assists, and three steals.
- Indiana: Lamar Wilkerson led with 32 points.
Team Records and Achievements:
Nebraska's record improved to an outstanding 16-0, marking the first time in school history and extending its win streak to a school-record 20 games.
- The team's 5-0 start in Big Ten play was its best since the 1965-66 season.
- This victory also marked a 3-0 road record in conference play, a first since the 1975-76 season.
- This was Nebraska's fifth consecutive win against Indiana.
- It was the second time this season Nebraska overcame a 16-point deficit, highlighting their resilience.
- Nebraska secured its second consecutive win at Assembly Hall and its fifth Quad 1 win of the season.
- Jamarques Lawrence's 27 points marked his third career 20-point game and tied his career-high with five 3-pointers.
- Nebraska made 14 three-pointers in the game, the 10th time this season they reached double-digit three-pointers.
- Rienk Mast grabbed his 1,000th career rebound during the game, a significant individual milestone.
- Nebraska registered its 19th double-digit scoring run of the season with a 13-0 run in the second half.
- Sam Hoiberg recorded his ninth multi-steal game, and Braden Frager had his 10th double-figure scoring game off the bench.
Indiana's record fell to 12-4 overall and 3-2 in conference play, sustaining their first home loss of the season. Nebraska was scheduled to host Oregon on Tuesday.