Nebrasketball's Bubble Gets Popped in Double Overtime at Ohio State

Nebrasketball's bubble has been popped.

Nebraska men's basketball went into Columbus, played two overtimes, and fell to Ohio State 116-114 Tuesday night. The Huskers fall to 17-13 on the year and 7-12 in the Big Ten Conference while the Buckeyes improve to 17-13 overall and 9-10 in the league.

Both teams were squarely on the NCAA Tournament bubble, with Nebraska likely seeing those hopes of a return to March Madness gone. The Huskers have lost their last four games.

Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Fred Hoiberg watches. — Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg watches during the first half in Columbus. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Once again, Nebraska got off to a slow start. The Huskers made just four shots in the first eight minutes as Ohio State built a 12- point lead. The difference was back to just six points at the half.

The Buckeyes built a double-digit lead again in the second half, only to see the Huskers chip away at it in the closing minutes.

Down by three points in the final minute, Andrew Morgan completed an and-1 to tie the game with 42 seconds to play. Ohio State got fouled with 16 seconds left and went to the line, making just 1-of-2 free throws.

Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Andrew Morgan (23) shoots the ball as Ohio State Buckeyes forward Sean Stewart (13) defends. — Nebraska forward Andrew Morgan shoots the ball as Ohio State forward Sean Stewart defends during the first half. | Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

On the other end, Brice Williams got fouled on the shot with eight seconds to play. However, Williams also made just one at the line.

After Ohio State failed to get a shot off, the game went to overtime.

In the first overtime, Williams got Nebraska out to a five-point lead. The Huskers led until the final 10 seconds, where a 1-for-2 trip to the line for Ohio State tied the game and sent the contest to a second overtime.

Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Brice Williams (3) shoots the ball as Ohio State Buckeyes guard Bruce Thornton (2) defends. — Nebraska guard Brice Williams shoots the ball as Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton defends during the first half. | Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

In the second overtime, Williams hit a 3 on the opening possession. A minute later, Ohio State used a 7-0 run take a lead that would never be relinguished.

Williams hit a 3 at the buzzer to get him to 43 points on the night, breaking the program record for points in a game set by Eric Piatkowski (42) against Oklahoma in the 1994 Big Eight Tournament.

Juwan Gary added 24 points and seven rebounds. Connor Essegian (16) and Andrew Morgan (14) also scored in double figures.

Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Andrew Morgan (23) fights for a loose ball. — Nebraska forward Andrew Morgan (23) fights for a loose ball during the first half. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Huskers shot 53.2% for the game, including 12-of-28 3s. The Buckeyes made 52.9% of their shots, making 12-of-32 from deep.

Nebraska returns to Lincoln to close out the regular season with Senior Day against Iowa on Sunday. Tip from Pinnacle Bank Arena is set for 11:30 a.m. CDT on FOX.

Box score

Nebraska Athletics Notes

Brice Williams’ 43-point effort broke Nebraska’s single-game scoring record. The previous mark was 42 by Eric Piatkowski against Oklahoma in the 1994 Big Eight Tournament. It was also a Value City Arena record.
Williams’ 42-point effort was his sixth career 30-point game. His previous high was 32 on two occasions, most recently against Hawai’i on Dec. 23. Williams now has three games of 30+ points this season.
His 43-point night was the first 40-point game by a Husker since Teddy Allen in 2021 and the most by a Big Ten player this season.
Williams now has 613 points this season, which ranks fifth on NU’s single-season list
Williams set career bests in points (43), field goals (16) and 3-pointers (five).
Williams’ 16 field goals tied a school record for field goals in a game, held by Melvin Stewart (12/14/1970 vs. Nevada) and Teddy Allen (2/23/2021 vs. Penn State).
Tonight was Nebraska’s first multi-overtime game since the 2021-22 season (4 OT at NC State). Nebraska is now 1-2 in overtime games this season.
The 230 combined points tied NU’s record for most points in a game, set two previous times against Oklahoma (OU 133, NEB 97 on Feb. 21, 1987; NEB 117, OU 113 on March 8, 1991.
Nebraska’s 114 points ties for fifth in school history and is the most since scoring 114 against Oregon in 1995, while OSU’s 116 points is fifth-most by a Husker opponent.
Juwan Gary finished with 24 points, his seventh 20-point game of the season.
Nebraska had two players with 20+ points for the second straight game and seventh time this season.
Connor Essegian (16) and Andrew Morgan (14) both gave NU double-figure efforts off the bench. Nebraska now has 28 double-figure efforts from its bench this season.
Connor Essegian hit three 3-pointers and now has 70 3-pointers on the season. That ties for ninth on NU’s single-season list.
Nine of Nebraska 13 losses were one-possession games in the final minute or regulation, including two overtime games.

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