NU Comes Back From 17 Down to Top Wisconsin

Derrick Walker had six of his 18 points in overtime, as Nebraska rallied from a 17-point second half deficit to defeat Wisconsin, 73-63, in overtime Saturday afternoon in Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Nebraska (12-14, 5-10 Big Ten) trailed 63-61 after a Tyler Wahl basket with 4:09 remaining in the extra period but it was all Nebraska the rest of the way. After Keisei Tominaga’s basket tied the game, Walker took over with two driving layups before hitting a pair of free throws to give the Huskers a 69-63 lead.

The Huskers sealed the game by going 6-of-6 from the line, while Wisconsin went 1-of-8 from the field in overtime. The Huskers held Wisconsin (14-10, 6-8) to two field goals in the final 5:30 of regulation and overtime.

Keisei Tominaga led the Huskers with 22 points, including five 3-pointers to match his career high from 3-point range. Sam Griesel added 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Jamarques Lawrence added 11 points, as Nebraska’s 17-point comeback was its largest since the 2012-13 season.

The Huskers also got a big performance from Blaise Keita, who grabbed 11 rebounds and had two steals in 23 minutes off the bench. Keita had played just 22 minutes since Dec. 29 because of an ankle injury but was a big reason the Badgers shot just 29 percent after halftime. His effort helped Nebraska win the rebounding battle, 43-37, after being out-rebounded by five in the first half.

Wisconsin, which led 35-24 at the break extended the lead to 17 twice, the last being at 45-28 with 16:12 remaining before the Huskers roared back. Two straight 3-pointers from Tominaga cut the lead to 11 and energized the Pinnacle Bank Arena crowd.

The 3-pointers started a 20-2 Husker run, as Tominaga had 12 points in the spurt, including consecutive 3-poitners to give Nebraska its first lead of the game at 48-47 with 11:14 left.

Wisconsin regained the lead at 52-48 following a Chucky Hepburn 3-pointer and a Steven Crowl basket, but Nebraska came right back as Walker had a basket inside before Sam Hoiberg’s 3-pointer put NU up 53-52 with 8:05 remaining.

The game would remain a one-possession game throughout the rest of regulation, as neither team led by more than three points. Nebraska took a 61-59 lead on a Lawrence 3-pointer with just under four minutes remaining before Hepburn’s basket with 2:44 tied it at 61.

Both teams had ample opportunities to win in regulation, as Hepburn’s 3-pointer in the waning seconds sent the game to overtime.

Hepburn paced the Badgers with 19 points, going 8-of-21 from the field, while Connor Essegian (13) and Klesmit (12) both finished in double figures.

In the first half, Wisconsin used a 13-3 run over the last five minutes of the half to build a 35-24 advantage. The Badgers shot 45 percent from the field, including 6-of-12 from 3-point range, as Klesmit had 10 first-half points to pace Wisconsin.

Early on, it was Derrick Walker carrying the offensive load, as he had six early points as Nebraska trailed 16-12. Wisconsin

Nebraska trailed 22-12 with 9:04 remaining but used a 9-0 run over the next four minutes to pull within 22-21 after a Tominaga 3-pointer with just over five minutes remaining.

The Huskers hit the road on Tuesday night as they travel to No. 24 Rutgers. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. (central) and the game will be carried on BTN and the Huskers Radio Network.