The Nebraska Cornhuskers men’s basketball team suffered a heartbreaking 78-75 double-overtime loss on the road against Ohio State on Tuesday night at Value City Arena in Columbus. The defeat snaps Nebraska’s three-game winning streak and drops them to 20-9 overall and 10-8 in Big Ten play as the regular season winds down.
It was a back-and-forth battle from the opening tip, with neither team able to establish a comfortable lead throughout regulation. Nebraska led by as many as eight in the first half, but Ohio State responded with a late run to close the gap to 32-30 at halftime. Both teams traded baskets for most of the second half, and the game remained tied at 60-60 after 40 minutes, forcing overtime.
In the first overtime, Nebraska had a chance to win it. With the game tied at 67-67 in the final seconds, Keisei Tominaga’s three-point attempt rimmed out, sending the game into a second overtime. Ohio State capitalized on the momentum shift, jumping out to a small lead early in the second extra period. Despite some clutch free throws and a critical three-pointer from Juwan Gary, Nebraska couldn’t complete the comeback.
Tominaga led the Huskers with 23 points, continuing his strong stretch of play in conference action. Gary added 15 points and 9 rebounds, while Rienk Mast contributed 12 points and 10 boards for a double-double. However, turnovers and missed opportunities in crucial moments haunted the Huskers throughout the night. Nebraska finished with 14 turnovers and shot just 40% from the field.
For Ohio State, Bruce Thornton paced the Buckeyes with 22 points, including several key buckets in overtime. Jamison Battle chipped in 17 points, while Felix Okpara controlled the paint with 10 rebounds and 5 blocks. The Buckeyes improved to 18-11 overall and 8-10 in the Big Ten, keeping their slim NCAA Tournament hopes alive with a critical win.
The loss is a tough blow for Nebraska, who are seeking their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2014. Still, at 20 wins, the Huskers remain in solid position for March Madness, though they’ll likely need at least one more win in their final two regular season games to feel completely secure on Selection Sunday.
Up next, Nebraska returns home to Pinnacle Bank Arena for a pivotal matchup against Rutgers on Sunday. The Huskers are 16-1 at home this season and will look to finish strong in front of their fans as they continue their push toward the postseason.
With just a couple of games remaining before the Big Ten Tournament, Fred Hoiberg’s squad will need to quickly regroup from the exhausting double-overtime loss. The focus now shifts to closing the season strong and ensuring their name is called on Selection Sunday.
Leave a Reply