Nebraska basketball’s slide is finally over. Now we’re all hoping that the Thursday night win over the Illinois Fighting Illini means that a winning streak is on the offing. Of course, the next game is against another Top 25 team, so if there is a second straight win on the table, the Huskers might be on the verge of saving their season.
It’s not an understatement to say that the Huskers’ season was indeed on life support. Even head coach Fred Hoiberg has talked about every game from here on out being their “Superbowl” because of how important winning every single contest is.
That’s not to say that the Nebraska basketball team played a perfect game. In fact, for a while, it looked like it was going to be the same old song and dance, including blowing a decent sized lead late.
Nebraska basketball pulls out overtime toughness to stop slide
After building a 40-31 lead at halftime, the Huskers were nursing a 58-49 lead with just over nine minutes to go. However, it was at this point that Illinois seemingly woke up and went on a scoring streak that took the contest all the way to the last few seconds.
The Illini actually had a chance to take the winning shot. However Will Riley misssed a three pointer. The game went to overtime and at that point the Huskers showed the toughness that Fred Hoiberg has been talking about during the six-game losing streak.
In overtime, the Nebraska basketball team outscored Illinois 10–4 in order to get the win. They also broke a two-game losing streak at PBA and suddenly found a bit of life thanks to another win over a Top 25 team that also happens to be in the Big Ten. Next up is a Sunday night tilt against No. 16 Oregon. A win there, and things get very interesting.