Mistakes, missed opportunities end Nebraska's Big Ten tourney in 78-75 loss to Minnesota
CHICAGO – Wednesday night’s Big Ten Tournament opener could have sealed a postseason berth for Nebraska.
Instead, the Huskers came up short time after time in a potentially season-ending 78-75 loss to Minnesota.
After jumping out to an early lead, NU fell behind by as many as 11 early in the second half. Despite pulling within one possession six times over the final nine minutes, Nebraska could never get over the hump.
Keisei Tominaga, who had a game-high 23 points, had a chance to tie it with a last-second half-court heave. But his shot bounced off the back iron to send NU home with a fourth-straight one-and-done conference tournament showing.
Minnesota (9-21 overall) shot 51.8%, made 10 3-pointers, and set a program record with 25 assists. Nebraska dropped to 16-16 with the loss, putting its hopes for an NIT berth in serious jeopardy.
Nebraska’s hot start quickly turned cold
The game started exactly how Nebraska wanted. Minnesota missed its first five shots with four turnovers before making its first basket nearly six minutes into the game.
A four-point play by Jamarques Lawrence gave the Huskers an 8-0 lead out of the gate. But the Gophers came storming back.
Dawson Garcia had 11 of his team-high 18 points in the first half to spark UM to a 27-11 run. That eventually turned into a 34-25 Minnesota lead after a bucket by Garcia with 3:11 left in the half.
A three by Lawrence and an And-1 by C.J. Wilcher helped NU cut the deficit to 37-33 at the half. Lawrence had 10 of his 12 points at the break.
But the Gophers shot 57%, made five 3-pointers, and assisted on 14 of their 15 first-half makes.
The Huskers could never get over the hump
Minnesota’s hot shooting continued into the second half. The Gophers hit three of their first five 3-pointers to go up 50-39 after four minutes.
Nebraska fired back with an 11-4 rally to pull within four with 11:43 left on a basket by Derrick Walker.
That was followed by what looked like a potentially game-changing sequence. Jamison Battle, who had 13 points and eight rebounds, fouled out with 9:01 remaining. Minnesota head coach Ben Johnson was then hit with a technical foul for arguing the call.
That led to four straight NU free throws that made it 60-57 and swung all the momentum to the Huskers.
A three by Tominaga and a jump hook by Sam Griesel got Nebraska within 63-62 with 6:04 left. Another layup by Tominaga with 20 seconds on the clock pulled NU back to 74-73. But the Huskers couldn’t take the lead no matter how close they got.
Ta’lon Cooper missed the second of two free throws with 7.2 remaining. That gave Nebraska a chance to tie or win down 77-75. Head coach Fred Hoiberg opted not to call a timeout after the rebound. Griesel then lost the ball out of bounds with 1.3 seconds.
Jaden Henley was fouled and made one of two free throws to put Minnesota up 78-75. Tominaga caught the ball at mid-court and had a decent final look, but his shot was off the mark.
Griesel finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds but was just 4-of-13 from the field. Walker added 12 points and five assists.
Cooper had 11 of his 16 points in the second half while going 8-for-10 at the charity stripe. He also set Minnesota’s Big Ten Tournament record with 12 assists.
Nebraska will officially learn its postseason fate when the NIT announces its field on Sunday night.
