Deja vu for the Huskers against the Badgers.
Back when these two teams met in Madison, Wisconsin led 39-38 at halftime then went on a 20-2 run in the second-half as part of Nebraska’s fourth consecutive loss. In the second meeting in Lincoln, the Badgers led 39-38 at halftime and went on a 21-2 run in the second-half to extend the losing streak.
“We came out with great energy in the first half, said Nebraska (7-18, 2-12 Big Ten) coach Fred Hoiberg. “I thought the shots [Wisconsin] hit in the first half were well contested. I thought the ball was moving exceptionally well in that first half, and we were getting what we wanted against a team that is one of the best defensive teams in the country. Even the possessions were we missed shots, they were great looks at the rim, or open threes. Then in the second half the urgency wasn’t there.”
Things started well for Nebraska, making seven of their first 11 shots to lead 26-20 at the under-8 timeout. But Wisconsin (15-10, 8-6 Big Ten) fought back the rest of the half and used a three-pointer in the final seconds to take a 39-38 lead into halftime.
After starting on fire, the Huskers closed the half shooting just 8-for-23 while Wisconsin pushed their three-point total to six made. The Badgers made a school record 18 three-pointers in the first meeting.
“In the second half, especially when they started making those to extend the lead, we kind of got a little frustrated and kind of went away from what we were supposed to be doing, and that’s on us,” said Thorir Thorbjararson. “I think they got some looks, but they also made some ridiculous shots so I think we’ve got to give credit to them. They made,15 so we’ve got to give credit to them for some of those.”
Both teams scored in the first minute of the second-half, then Wisconsin torched the Huskers on that 21-2 run. Over that stretch, Nebraska shot 1-for-8, including six misses in the paint.
Nebraska closed the deficit to 10 with 7:45 to go, courtesy a 10-3 run, but Wisconsin extended to as much as 18 and coasted to the 81-64 win.
Wisconsin shot 49.2-percent for the game, including 53-percent in the second-half, and made 15 three-pointers on 31 attempts.
Nebraska shot just 38.5-percent for the game, including 8-of-25 from deep. The Huskers outscored the Badgers 34-26 for points in the paint.
Haanif Cheatham was one of just two Huskers in double figures as he scored 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Dachon Burke Jr., who missed the Maryland game with the flu, came off the bench to score 10 points.
Cam Mack filled out the stat sheet with eight points, eight assists, and nine rebounds. This was also Mack’s first game of the season without a turnover.
Yvan Ouedraogo came off the bench for the second game in a row and scored eight points while grabbing 10 rebounds. Ouedraogo now has 149 rebounds on the season to rank fifth on Nebraska’s single-season freshman rebound list.
This marks the tenth consecutive loss for the Huskers.
“We just got to keep grinding, we have got to keep coming out,” said Hoiberg. “The first half was really good basketball for us, again the broken record is sound the same every game, it’s the consistency of our team. We have got to play 40 minutes, if we have any chance at all we have got got play a consistent 40 minutes of basketball.”
Nebraska is home again in their next one, hosting Michigan State (17-8, 9-5 Big Ten) February 20.
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