Dismal three-point shooting dooms Illinois in overtime loss to Nebraska
A Tough Night from Beyond the Arc
No. 18 Illinois suffered another bad loss in Big Ten play with an 80-74 overtime defeat to host Nebraska. The Illini (14-7, 6-5 Big Ten) were 10-for-42 from three-point range, including 0-for-8 in overtime.
Individual Performances
Kasparas Jakucionis had 18 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists for Illinois, which lost for the first time in 10 meetings with Nebraska. Wes Riley made four three-pointers while scoring 16 points and Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn added 15.
Brice Williams scored eight of his team-high 27 points in overtime to lead the Cornhuskers (13-8, 3-7), who never trailed while knocking off a third-ranked opponent in the same season for the first time since 2013-14.
Key Moments and Stats
Williams made three straight shots and a pair of free throws to put the Huskers up by eight points in overtime. He broke a 72-all tie with a shot from the wing, muscled in for an inside basket, and then hit a baseline jumper.
Gibbs-Lawhorn’s three-pointer with 47.2 seconds left in regulation pulled Illinois into a tie for the first time since the game was scoreless. He came into the game shooting 29% on 3s.
The Huskers, who matched their season low with six turnovers, scored 17 points off Illinois’ 17 turnovers.
Takeaways
Illinois: Tomislav Ivisic, the 7-foot-1 center and the team’s second-leading scorer, missed his third straight game with mononucleosis. The Illini have lost four of their last six.
Nebraska: The Huskers rediscovered their identity as a gritty and defense-oriented team, holding the Illini to 28% shooting in the first half and 35.6% for the game.
Conclusion
In the end, Illinois’ dismal three-point shooting was the deciding factor in this overtime loss to Nebraska. Despite a strong performance from Kasparas Jakucionis, the Illini struggled to find their shooting touch from beyond the arc, ultimately falling short against the Cornhuskers.
FAQs
What was the final score in the game?
Illinois lost 80-74 in overtime.
How many three-pointers did Illinois make?
The Illini were 10-for-42 from three-point range, including 0-for-8 in overtime.
Who led Nebraska in scoring?
Brice Williams scored a team-high 27 points for the Cornhuskers.
