Nebraska grabbed its second straight win over a ranked foe and fourth win over a Top 25 opponent this season with a 77-71 win over No. 16 Oregon Sunday night in Eugene, Oregon. The Huskers’ (14-8, 4-7 B1G) season, which appeared to be in a tailspin during a six-game losing streak, seems to be back on the right track after a home win Thursday over 18th-ranked Illinois and Sunday’s triumph.
Brice Williams paced Nebraska as usual with 28 points on 10-for-18 shooting. He added seven assists and six rebounds. Juwan Gary contributed 23 points on an efficient 6-for-10 shooting from the field, augmented by shooting 10-for-12 from the free-throw line. The Cornhuskers overcame shooting just 4-for-23 from behind the arc (17 percent) by getting to the free-throw line often, hitting 21-for-29 from the charity stripe. Oregon (16-6, 5-6 B1G) was led in scoring by Jackson Shelstad’s 16 points.
Oregon led 2-1 with 18:49 to go in the first half and never led again. Nebraska went on an 11-2 run immediately after that to build a 13-2 lead with 13:48 to go until halftime. The Huskers built a 32-17 lead with 4:53 to play in the first half before the Ducks responded with an 11-0 run to melt NU’s lead to four. But a Williams drive and dunk with less than a minute to go in the half snapped the run and broke Oregon’s momentum.
The Cornhuskers held control through most of the second half, never leading by fewer by four points and holding off the Ducks for the ranked win.
The win was Nebraska’s fourth over a ranked opponent this season and the second road win for the Huskers over a ranked foe. The road wins over the ranked came against Creighton and the Ducks, coached by former Creighton coach Dana Altman.
The Huskers are back in action Wednesday at Washington at 9:30 p.m. Pregame coverage will begin at 8:30 p.m. on KLIN.