Lawrence, Sandfort Propel No. 23 Nebraska Past No. 13 Illinois
Pryce Sandfort delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 32 points, leading No. 23 Nebraska to a thrilling win against No. 13 Illinois. Jamarques Lawrence secured the victory with a last-second three-pointer on Saturday, maintaining Nebraska’s undefeated season record. The Huskers stand at 11-0 and 2-0 in the Big Ten, marking the best start in the program’s history.
Nebraska’s Historic Start
This win extends Nebraska’s remarkable win streak to 15 games, a record that dates back to last season. Sandfort was instrumental, particularly in the first half, where he scored 26 points, including the team’s first 15.
Key Performers
- Pryce Sandfort: 32 points
- Jamarques Lawrence: 14 points, including the final three-pointer
- Rienk Mast: 17 points and 7 rebounds
- Jared Garcia: 10 points, all in the second half
- Sam Hoiberg: 5 rebounds and 6 assists
Game Highlights
In the early stages, Nebraska forged an 11-4 lead, all points credited to Sandfort. However, Illinois ended the first half strongly, going on a 13-0 run to tie the game at 37-37.
The second half saw Nebraska begin assertively. They initially surged ahead with a quick 6-2 run, mainly driven by Lawrence’s four points. The game saw both teams exchanging leads until Nebraska managed to pull ahead at 61-51, thanks to Mast’s contributions.
In the final moments, Illinois narrowed the gap to just one point, 78-77. After some back-and-forth action, Lawrence’s decisive three-pointer finalizes the game at 83-80 in favor of Nebraska.
Upcoming Matchup
No. 23 Nebraska will host North Dakota at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Sunday, December 21. The game is set for 7 p.m. (CT) and will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network. Fans can listen through the Huskers Radio Network, and tickets are available online.
