Huskers Impressive in 82-72 Win at Rutgers

Keisei Tominaga had a team-high 22 points to pace four Huskers in double figures as Nebraska put together one of its best offensive performances of the season in a 82-72 win over Rutgers Tuesday evening.

The Huskers (13-14, 6-10 Big Ten) shot 58.2 percent from the floor against a Rutgers team which was sixth nationally in field goal percentage defense while NU’s 82 points were the most Rutgers allowed at home since December of 2020.

Tominaga scored 15 of his 22 points in the second half, as Nebraska took the lead in the final minute of the first half and never trailed the rest of the way. C.J. Wilcher added 17 points, including a career-high five 3-pointers, while Derrick Walker and Sam Griesel added 16 and 12 points, respectively.  Nebraska matched a season-high with 12 3-pointers and shot 43 percent from beyond the arc against the Big Ten’s top 3-point defense.

Nebraska led by seven after a Griesel basket in the opening minute of the second half, before Rutgers ran off six straight points to pull to within 42-41 after a Clifford Omoruyi free throw with 17 minutes left. Rutgers was within 44-43 before 3-pointers from Tominaga and Wilcher helped push the advantage to 50-45 with 14:48 left.

From there, the Huskers kept expanding the lead, using an 8-2 run to stretch the lead to 66-54 after a Sam Hoiberg 3-pointer with just under eight minutes left and led by as much as 13 before cruising to the 10-point win.

Griesel posted his third double-double of the season with 12 points, 12 rebounds and five assists as Nebraska had 16 assists en route to its third win in the last four games.

Aundre Hyatt led Rutgers (16-10, 8-7) with a career-high 24 points to pace four Scarlet Knights in double figures.

Nebraska put together one of its best offensive halves in Big Ten play to take a 40-35 lead into the locker room. Nebraska shot 65 percent from the field in the first half, including 6-of-14 from 3-point range.

After trailing 8-2, the Huskers got a big spark from its two New Jersey natives as Wilcher and Jamarques Lawrence combined for 12 straight Husker points, as Nebraska battled back to tie the score at 16 with 11:51 left in the half. Rutgers built a 23-20 lead, but Nebraska used a 7-2 spurt to take its first lead of the game at 27-25 on a Tominaga drive with 6:28 left in the half.

Nebraska trailed 35-34 after a Hyatt basket with 1:30 left in the half, but two straight Walker baskets and a bucket by Griesel allowed the Huskers to close on a 6-0 run and take a 40-35 lead into the locker room.

Wilcher and Lawrence combined for 14 first-half points, while Walker had 10 points and hit all five of his shots from the field.

The Huskers begin a three-game homestand on Sunday afternoon, as the Maryland Terrapins come to town. Tipoff for the Alumni Weekend game is set for 4 p.m. and tickets are available by visiting Huskers.com/Tickets.

Game Notes

*-Nebraska’s 82 points is the most allowed by a Rutgers opponent at Jersey Mike’s Arena since Illinois scored 88 on Dec. 20, 2020. Rutgers was seventh nationally in scoring defense, allowing a Big Ten low 59.1 ppg
*-Nebraska’s 82 points was its highest total in Big Ten play and second-highest total of the season.
*-Nebraska shot 58.2 percent from the field, its second-highest total of the year and highest in Big Ten play. Rutgers entered the contest sixth nationally in field goal defense (38.2 pct).
*-Nebraska tied a season high with 12 3-pointers (also vs. Boston College). Prior to tonight. NU’s Big Ten high was nine against Purdue and Northwestern.
*-Keisei Tominaga finished with 22 points, his fourth consecutive 20-point game and sixth of the season
*-Tominaga is the first Husker with four straight 20-point game since Bryce McGowens last season.
*-Sam Griesel posted his third double-double of the season with 12 points and 12 rebounds
*-C.J. Wilcher reached double figures for the first time since Jan. 21 and eighth time this season with 17 points. His five 3-pointers was a career high (4 on three occasions, the most recently against Boston College on Nov. 30).
*-Nebraska used its ninth different lineup of the season tonight. It is the seventh different lineup in the last 11 games.
*-Nebraska started both New Jersey natives (C.J. Wilcher and Jamarques Lawrence tonight). Both players are Plainfield, N.J. natives.