Nebraska Secures Best-Ever Start with Thrilling Buzzer-Beater Victory
Nebraska achieved a historic milestone with a thrilling buzzer-beater victory over Illinois. This remarkable win, with a final score of 83-80, took place on December 13, 2025, in Champaign, Illinois. With this triumph, the 23rd-ranked Huskers improved their season record to 11-0, marking the best start in the program’s history.
Nebraska’s Stellar Performance
Jamarques Lawrence was the hero of the game, sinking a 3-point shot with just milliseconds left on the clock. His performance contributed to his total of 14 points. Pryce Sandfort also shone, scoring a career-high 32 points, while Rienk Mast added 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
- Notable Players for Nebraska:
- Pryce Sandfort: 32 points (career high)
- Rienk Mast: 17 points, 7 rebounds
- Jamarques Lawrence: 14 points
Illinois’ Comeback Attempt
The 13th-ranked Illinois team showed resilience. After trailing by as much as 14 points in the first half, they made a strong comeback. Tomislav Ivisic tied the game with his only points of the night, a 3-pointer with 17 seconds remaining. Kylan Boswell led the Illini with 20 points, supported by Andrej Stojakovic with 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Keaton Wagler, who also contributed with 19 points.
- Key Players for Illinois:
- Kylan Boswell: 20 points
- Andrej Stojakovic: 19 points, 10 rebounds
- Keaton Wagler: 19 points
Historical Context
This victory marks a significant point in Nebraska’s basketball history. The Huskers have won a total of 15 consecutive games, including their previous season’s triumph in the inaugural College Basketball Crown post-season tournament in Las Vegas. Moreover, this win against a ranked opponent is the first for Nebraska since 1991.
Looking Ahead
As the season progresses, Nebraska aims to maintain their undefeated streak and build on their record, while Illinois seeks to recover from this setback. The rivalry between these two programs continues to grow, promising more exciting matchups in the future.
