LINCOLN, Neb. — In an exciting matchup on Thursday evening, freshman Ace Bailey of Rutgers delivered an impressive performance, scoring 24 points and grabbing 11 rebounds as the Scarlet Knights edged past Nebraska with an 85-82 victory.

Bailey’s clutch play at the free-throw line proved critical; he converted both shots in a one-and-one situation, securing a four-point advantage for Rutgers with just 10 seconds left on the clock. Earlier, he had missed a potential free throw that could have extended their lead to four. Following his miss, Nebraska’s Brice Williams made a layup and then quickly fired a 3-pointer, bringing the Cornhuskers within a single point with only five seconds remaining. However, Dylan Grant managed to connect on a jumper after receiving a pass from Bailey, sealing the win for the Scarlet Knights.

Throughout the game, Bailey showcased his shooting ability, hitting four three-pointers and notching his sixth double-double of the season. Dylan Harper was also a key contributor, scoring 21 points and making three shots from beyond the arc. Grant supported the offensive effort with 15 points, while Zach Martini added 11, contributing significantly with three 3-pointers.

For Nebraska, Brice Williams led the scoring with 21 points, while Juwan Gary added a strong performance, finishing with 20 points and seven rebounds. The team’s bench made contributions too, with Connor Essegian and Andrew Morgan scoring 12 and 11 points, respectively. Rollie Worster rounded out the effort with 10 points, along with seven rebounds and five assists.

At halftime, Rutgers held a narrow lead of 40-37, thanks in part to Bailey’s 11 points and Grant’s nine. The game then saw an invigorating start to the second half, with Braxton Meah and Gary both contributing four points in an 8-0 run for Nebraska, which propelled them to a five-point lead. However, Bailey answered back with a pair of crucial three-pointers during a late 10-4 run, allowing Rutgers to reclaim the lead at 77-76 with just over three minutes remaining. Harper followed suit with two consecutive layups, putting the Scarlet Knights ahead for the rest of the game.

Looking ahead, Nebraska will be preparing to face Maryland on Sunday, while Rutgers is set to clash with Penn State on Monday.