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USATSI_17803299 Bryce McGowens MBB vs Ohio State 2022.03.01 crop

Nebraska Upsets No. 23 Ohio State; Bryce McGowens Solidifies Freshman of the Year Candidacy

The Husker men earn back-to-back road wins for the first time in the Fred Hoiberg era
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Three men in the Nebraska athletic department improved their stock greatly Tuesday night.

On the floor, Bryce McGowens improved his Big Ten Freshman of the Year candidacy with 26 points to lead Nebraska (9-21, 3-16 Big Ten) past No. 23 Ohio State (18-9, 11-7 Big Ten) 78-70 in Columbus.

Why that award mattered a little more in this game? On Monday, Ohio State coach Chris Holtman told 97.1 The Fan that McGowens wouldn't be getting his vote as top freshman in the league.

"They have a freshman (Bryce McGowens) who's battling for freshman of the year. He's not going to get my vote."

This was the 11th time on the season that McGowens eclipsed 20 points. That is a Nebraska freshman record.

On the bench, Fred Hoiberg gave his doubters something to ponder. Hoiberg has delivered back-to-back road wins for the first time in his tenure at Nebraska. Tuesday night also marked the first win over a ranked opponent after dropping the last 24 games, going back to 2019.

Back in Lincoln, Nebraska athletic director Trev Alberts earned more acceptance about his decision to retain Hoiberg for another year. Alberts said last week that Hoiberg sold him on the future of the program. That future looks better when you win road games against ranked opponents.

The Huskers led most of the way against the Buckeyes but did not take control right away. Ohio State led by as much as seven in the first half, and was up 30-29 with 5:51 to go until halftime.

Nebraska used an 8-0 to take over and lead by four at the half. Ohio State hit a 3 with 10 seconds left to mark their only made field goal in the final 8:11.

Most of the second half was played with the game separated by at least two possessions. The Huskers stretched the lead to 11 with 3:33 remaining before 7-0 Buckeye run.

But Nebraska did what was necessary in the final minute: make free throws. The Huskers made five in the last 51 seconds to seal the victory.

Alonzo Verge Jr. controlled the offense with 11 assists to go with 13 points.

Helping out his brother, Trey McGowens locked up Malaki Branham to the tune of 16 points on 5-of-11 shooting. Branham is another Big Ten Freshman of the Year candidate.

CJ Wilcher scored 15 points, 13 of which came in the first half.

The Huskers shot 49.1 percent for the game, including 9-of-23 from 3 and 15-of-18 at the free throw line.

Down to just a single regular season game left, Nebraska heads to No. 10 Wisconsin on Sunday before the Big Ten Tournament next week.

Stats

USATSI_17804050 Lat Mayen MBB vs Ohio State 2022.03.01

Nebraska forward Lat Mayen celebrates the upset win.

USATSI_17804342 Kobe Webster MBB vs Ohio State 2022.03.01

Ohio State guard Malaki Branham dribbles the ball as Nebraska guard Kobe Webster defends during the second half.

USATSI_17804360 scuffle MBB vs Ohio State 2022.03.01

Ohio State guard Jimmy Sotos (center) breaks up guard Jamari Wheeler (left) from Nebraska guard Kobe Webster (not pictured) during the second half.

USATSI_17803299 Bryce McGowens MBB vs Ohio State 2022.03.01

Nebraska guard Bryce McGowens drives to the basket as Ohio State guard Malaki Branham defends during the first half.

USATSI_17804319 Lat Mayen and Bryce McGowens MBB vs Ohio State 2022.03.01

Ohio State forward E.J. Liddell dribbles the ball as Nebraska forward Lat Mayen (11) and guard Bryce McGowens (5) defend during the second half.

USATSI_17803302 CJ Wilcher MBB vs Ohio State 2022.03.01

Nebraska guard C.J. Wilcher drives to the basket as Ohio State guard Jimmy Sotos defends during the first half. 

USATSI_17804380 Lat Mayen MBB vs Ohio State 2022.03.01

Nebraska forward Lat Mayen collides with Ohio State forward Kyle Young as he attempts a shot during the first half.

USATSI_17803304s CJ Wilcher MBB vs Ohio State 2022.03.01

Nebraska guard C.J. Wilcher shoots as Ohio State guard Eugene Brown III defends during the first half.

USATSI_17803296 Alonzo Verge Jr. MBB vs Ohio State 2022.03.01

Nebraska guard Alonzo Verge Jr. drives to the basket during the first half.

USATSI_17803297 Fred Hoiberg MBB vs Ohio State 2022.03.01

Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg during the first half.

USATSI_17804208 Alonzo Verge MBB vs Ohio State 2022.03.01

Husker guard Alonzo Verge Jr. collides with Ohio State guard Eugene Brown III as he drives to the basket during the first half.

USATSI_17803298 Alonzo Verge Jr. MBB vs Ohio State 2022.03.01

Nebraska guard Alonzo Verge Jr. shoots as Ohio State guard Jimmy Sotos defends during the first half.

USATSI_17803303s Trey McGowens MBB vs Ohio State 2022.03.01

Nebraska guard Trey McGowens shoots as he is defended by Ohio State guard Malaki Branham during the first half.

USATSI_17803301 Eduardo Andre MBB vs Ohio State 2022.03.01

Nebraska center Eduardo Andre fights for the loose ball as Ohio State guard Jamari Wheeler defends during the first half.

USATSI_17804564

OSU's Jimmy Sotos fights for the ball with Nebraska center Eduardo Andre (35) and guard Alonzo Verge Jr. (1) during the first half. 

USATSI_17804201 Trey McGowens MBB vs Ohio State 2022.03.01

Ohio State guard Malaki Branham shoots over Nebraska guard Trey McGowens  during the first half

USATSI_17804204 Eugene Brown III MBB vs Ohio State 2022.03.01

OSU guard Eugene Brown III sinks a put-back during the first half.

USATSI_17804565

OSU coach Chris Holtmann during the second half.

USATSI_17804511

Ohio State guard Jimmy Sotos dribbles the ball as Nebraska guard Alonzo Verge Jr. defends during the second half. 

USATSI_17804539

Ohio State forward E.J. Liddell collides with Nebraska guard Trey McGowens during the second half.

USATSI_17804054 Kobe Webster MBB vs Ohio State 2022.03.01

Nebraska guard Kobe Webster celebrates the victory in Columbus.

Highlights

Postgame video

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