Huskers Suffer First Loss of the Season Against No. 15 Creighton

Lincoln, Neb. – The Nebraska Cornhuskers experienced their first setback of the season, falling to the No. 15 Creighton Bluejays 89-60 on Sunday afternoon. The Huskers, who entered the game undefeated at 7-0, struggled against Creighton’s sharpshooting, particularly from beyond the arc.

Keisei Tominaga Shines Despite Loss

Despite the team’s struggles, Keisei Tominaga stood out with a game-high 20 points. He managed to hit 8-of-16 shots from the floor, but unfortunately, he was the lone Husker to score in double figures. Nebraska’s offense, typically potent and efficient, was limited to just 33.8 percent shooting, significantly below their season average. The team’s 3-point shooting, usually a strong suit, was particularly off the mark, with only 2 successful attempts out of 22.

Creighton’s 3-Point Barrage

Creighton’s Baylor Scheierman led the charge for the Bluejays with 24 points, 20 of which came in an explosive first half. His six 3-pointers before the break were pivotal in setting the tone for the game. Overall, Creighton went 10-of-23 from 3-point range in the first half, dismantling Nebraska’s defense that had previously been effective at containing perimeter shooting.

Game Progression

Nebraska briefly held the lead after a 9-2 run, sparked by Tominaga and Juwan Gary, resulting in a 23-22 advantage. However, Creighton quickly regained control with an 11-2 run, led by Scheierman’s sharpshooting. The Huskers found themselves trailing by 25 points at halftime.

The second half saw Nebraska attempting to close the gap, with Gary’s steal and dunk reducing the deficit to 15 points. However, Creighton’s 9-2 spurt extended their lead, and the Huskers couldn’t mount a significant comeback.

Creighton’s Balanced Attack

Apart from Scheierman’s performance, Creighton had a balanced offensive attack. Ryan Kalkbrenner, Steven Ashworth, and Trey Alexander each contributed 13 points. The Bluejays also dominated the rebounding battle, out-rebounding the Huskers 48-37.

Looking Ahead

The Huskers now turn their focus to Big Ten Conference play, with their next game scheduled against Minnesota on Wednesday, Dec. 6. The game, set for an 8 p.m. tipoff, will be a crucial test for Nebraska as they look to bounce back from this loss and prove their mettle in conference play. The game will be televised by BTN and broadcast on the Huskers Radio Network.

Despite the loss, the season is still young, and the Huskers have shown enough promise to suggest they can compete at a high level in the Big Ten. The team will look to regroup and return to the form that saw them start the season on a seven-game winning streak.

#HuskersBasketball #NebraskaVsCreighton #BigTen #NCAABasketball