This is was a Husker basketball team that we had not seen all year.
Most expected Nebraska to come into Bloomington, Indiana and leave with a much expected loss to the Hoosiers. It is safe to say all of us were up for a very nice yet disappointing surprise.
The Huskers lost tonight. I will not deny that. However, the loss gave us hope that this is a team that has enough talent, grit, and determination to win a few more games this season than is expected. Just a few days ago Nebraska went down hard to Creighton in Omaha. There was little to believe that this game was going to be any different.
Indiana is not the Hoosiers of old. This team is still in development but is a very strong squad. Nebraska came in and took them on toe to toe. The amount of resolved in Nebraska never let up and never seemed to waiver.
Nebraska started out rough and like many of the games so far had to try and dig themselves out. Lucky for them they were able to fight back from an early 11-2 deficit in the first half. Twelve points later they took their first lead of the game and this night became a battle of wills from there on out.
The lead went back and fourth until Indiana secured a one point lead at half 40-39. Indiana came out scoring first in the second with Nebraska close on it’s heels. Eventually the game came down to Dachon Burke who nailed a three pointer at the end of regulation to tie the game and send it into overtime 82-82.
The Huskers did what they could in overtime but fatigue and Indiana’s shooting was just enough more accurate than Nebraska’s to keep the Huskers from the win. In the end, Nebraska loss 90-96 to a 10-1 Indiana team.
This was, mind you, the third time this season that a Nebraska game has gone into overtime. The other two were wins against Southern Utah and Southern University
The Huskers were lead by Dachon Burke Jr. who had 25 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist. Haanif Cheatham ended the night with a very nice 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. Also of note was the man from Iceland Thorir Thorbjarnarson who had 17 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist.
As a team Nebraska shot 44% from the floor and 65% from the free throw line. A 10% improvement from their 56% season average.
Nebraska was also without junior guard Jervay Green who was suspended for violation of team rules. The Huskers come back to Lincoln Sunday to take on Purdue.