Nebrasketball: Solid Defense leads Huskers to 66-57 win over Hoosiers

A bounce back game to regain energy and hope was badly needed for Nebraska after coming off a heartbreaking loss against Illinois,

The Huskers started out just the way they wanted, a James Palmer Jr. three. But that would be one of the few threes that Nebraska made in the first half, as they finished 3-15 from three point land.

After Palmer’s three, the classic Nebraska scoring drought would ensue, with none other than JPJ ending the three minute drought at around the 16 minute mark.

Droughts that the Huskers have on offense need to stop if they want to make noise in the Big Ten tournament and possibly the NCAA tournament.

At the U8 media timeout, Nebraska was 6-21 from the field and 2-9 from behind the arc, but somehow tied 14-14. While Nebraska did play a lot of good defense, they did get lucky as the Hoosiers missed a couple open shots here and there.

The rest of the half would go the same way for both teams offensively, with the score 26-25 Indiana.

Something all Husker fans wondered after the first half were the lack of fouls called. Indiana shot two free throws, compared to Nebraska’s zero.

Start of the second half, the refs listened to our complaints, by giving Indiana three and-ones in the first four minutes. Palmer also picked up his third foul right before the U16 media timeout, with Indiana leading 36-35.

Palmer’s absence hurt for awhile, with Indiana taking their largest lead of the night 41-37, but an Evan Taylor and-one cut the lead to one.

Taylor’s and-one would also spark a 10-0 run that gave the Huskers their largest lead of the night with a score of 47-41. Most of the run came courtesy of Jordy Tshimanga’s hustle and scoring, receiving a standing ovation as he came off the court.

However, after he came off the court, Indiana would heat up, cutting the Husker’s lead to two at the U8 media timeout.

Nebraska went back to their traditional style of play after that media timeout, drawing fouls to get to the free throw line. Nebraska was in the double bonus with six minutes to go, helping them get to a five point lead at the U4 media timeout.

After the U4 media timeout, Nebraska never looked back, going on a quick 8-0 run to seal the deal. Huskers win 66-57.

If Nebraska lost tonight, all NCAA tournament hopes would’ve gone right out the door. But the Huskers did their job and have to gear up for a very tough game with Penn State this Sunday for senior day.