The Washington Huskies (10-8 and 2-5 in conference) were ready for the fight when they challenged the No. 7 Nebraska Cornhuskers (18-0 and 7-0 in conference) in Lincoln, NE on Wednesday Night The Cornhuskers entered the contest averaging 11 made threes per game (14th in the nation). Defensively, Nebraska had given up just 14 made field goals inside the arc per game (seventh in the country). The Cornhuskers’ tough defense and three-point shooting have made them one of the best teams in the country this year.
To beat Nebraska, Washington needed to keep scoring inside. The Huskies outscored Michigan State 42-32 against the nation’s ninth-ranked two-point defense on Saturday. Scoring inside would be crucial for the Huskies, considering their recent struggles shooting from the perimeter. For the month, the Dawgs have made just 27% of three-point attempts. Washington also had to match Nebraska’s strong three-point shooting by continuing to play great perimeter defense. Going into Wednesday’s game, the Huskies’ defense had allowed teams to shoot just 32% from beyond the arc in January. Unfortunately, the Dawgs struggled from three again and were unable to beat the red-hot Cornhuskers.
Washington stays close to Nebraska at the beginning of the game, but falls behind midway through the first half
Early on, the Huskies held their own with the Cornhuskers by matching them score for score. After almost 10 minutes of play, Washington trailed by just two points, 19-17. Zoom Diallo led a balanced scoring attack with seven points. Courtland Muldrew, Hannes Steinbach, and Franck Kepnang also chipped in, combining for four made field goals.
Nebraska gets hot from three, as Washington goes cold
Following a timeout, the Cornhuskers went on a 13-2 run over the next 3:27. On offense, the Huskies went one of eight from the field, scoring their only points on a put-back layup by J.J. Mandaquit. While Washington was struggling to score, Nebraska heated up from beyond the arc. Nebraska forwards Sanfort Pryce and Jared Garcia hit three three-pointers to lead the surge. After a made three by Pryce at the 6:50 mark, Husky head coach Danny Sprinkle called a timeout with the Huskies down 32-19.
Huskies end Cornhuskers’ run, but cannot make up ground
The Huskies ended Nebraska’s run following Sprinkle’s timeout. Zoom Diallo made a layup and a three-pointer to bring Washington within eight. However, that was as close as the Huskies would get to the Cornhuskers, as the Dawgs continued to struggle to stop Nebraska. The Cornhuskers finished the half shooting 15-29 (52%) for the half and were 6/15 (40%) on three-point attempts. Washington struggled from deep, going just two of nine for the half (23%), while shooting 12/32 (38%) from the field. Behind better three-point shooting, Nebraska held a 41-28 lead at halftime.
Washington’s Hannes Steinbach heats up, but the Huskies are unable to break through in the final 20 minutes of play
Hannes Steinbach led the Huskies with 11 points in the first 10 minutes of the second half. The German National helped keep Washington in the game. Unfortunately, the Huskies were unable to slow down the Cornhuskers from three. Nebraska had four different players make four three-pointers to counter Steinbach’s scoring. Halfway through the second half, Nebraska had a 61-46 lead over Washington.
Huskies continue to compete, but are unable to sustain a big enough run to catch the Cornhuskers
Despite facing a double-digit deficit, Washington fought on in the final 10 minutes of the game. Steinbach continued to lead the charge, adding another six points and finishing with 17 second-half points. The rest of the team combined for 14 points in the closing minutes, as the Huskies tried to keep pace with the Cornhuskers. Washington stayed with Nebraska scoring-wise, but the Huskies’ inability to make enough stops prevented them from mounting a comeback. The Cornhuskers held off the Huskies and defeated them 76-66.
Washington loses the three-point shooting battle and the game
Although the Huskies finished with just one fewer made field goal than the Cornhuskers, three-point shooting loomed large. Nebraska made 11 three-pointers for the game, while Washington made just six. Five Cornhuskers hit shots from the perimeter, as Sanfort Pryce led the way, making four threes and scoring 12 of his team-high 23 points from deep. Nebraska’s 33-18 scoring advantage from beyond the arc was the difference in the game.
What is next for the Huskies
Washington’s schedule will get easier after falling to another top 10 opponent. Following this Wednesday’s game, the Huskies currently have just one ranked team left on their schedule. Washington’s next opponent is the Oregon Ducks (8-11 overall and 1-7 in conference). The Huskies take on the Ducks at Alaska Airlines Arena on Sunday.
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