EUGENE, Ore. — In a thrilling matchup on Sunday night, Nebraska secured a win against No. 16 Oregon with a final score of 77-71, largely thanks to the impressive performance of senior guard Brice Williams, who contributed 28 points to the team’s success.
Williams showcased his offensive skills by shooting 10 of 18 from the floor, while also grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out six assists. The Cornhuskers improved their season record to 14-8 overall and 4-7 in Big Ten play, marking their fourth victory against a Top 25 team this year. Juwan Gary also made significant contributions with 23 points, and Rollie Worster added 11 points to the Cornhuskers’ total.
Oregon, with a record now standing at 16-6 and 5-6 in conference play, faced its third consecutive loss, a troubling trend for the team. Jackson Shelstad led the Ducks with 16 points, while Brandon Angel and TJ Bamba contributed 15 and 13 points, respectively, with Bamba also pulling down six rebounds.
In a pivotal moment of the game, Shelstad connected on a three-pointer to narrow Oregon’s deficit to just five points at 58-53 with 6:02 remaining. However, Nebraska answered swiftly with five consecutive points. Bamba attempted to rally the Ducks back into the game with a three-point play that brought the score to 70-66 with just 56 seconds left. Still, free throws from both Gary and Williams allowed Nebraska to regain a comfortable lead at 74-66.
Key Observations:
For Nebraska, the victory marked a commendable achievement as the team notched consecutive wins against ranked opponents, having previously triumphed over No. 18 Illinois. With their schedule ahead appearing less daunting, the Cornhuskers do not have another rated team on their agenda for this season.
Conversely, Oregon now faces the challenge of hitting the road for their upcoming games against top-tier teams like Michigan and Michigan State, raising concerns about their current losing streak.
A turning point in the game unfolded when Nebraska expanded their lead following Oregon’s close margin of 14-12, going on an impressive 18-5 run that put them ahead decisively.
Statistically, Nebraska displayed a remarkable shooting performance, hitting 22 of 28 attempts from inside the arc, which was crucial in mitigating their struggles beyond the three-point line, where they only managed to convert 4 of 23 shots.
Looking ahead, Nebraska will travel to face Washington on Wednesday, while Oregon prepares for their own road trip to Michigan the same day.
