For more photos, see PHOTOS: Indiana men's basketball falls flat against Nebraska
Heading into Wednesday’s matchup, Indiana men’s basketball needed to defend home court to prevent Nebraska from getting its first Big Ten road win of the season. By the end of the night, the Cornhuskers wrapped up a dominant 85-70 performance to finally overcome its road woes and give Indiana its second three-game losing streak of the season.
Nebraska came out firing from the start, making four 3-pointers in the first five minutes of the game. The most volumetric 3-point shooting team in the Big Ten in makes and attempts, the Cornhuskers’ capabilities — and Indiana’s lack thereof — showed with a 14-to-four disparity in triples at the final buzzer.
Senior guard Keisei Tominaga was the head of the snake and Indiana couldn’t stop him early. Tominaga, who had 28 points the first time the teams played, had an explosive 18-point first half on 4-for-7 shooting from deep.
Nebraska’s productive start and Indiana’s inability to find an offensive rhythm created a 51-31 halftime margin cemented with an 11-0 Cornhusker run to end the frame. As the Hoosiers were booed by the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall crowd walking into the locker, aspirations were bleak.
Like it did in its 76-72 loss to Northwestern on Feb. 18, however, Indiana showed fight with a strong second half push. It outscored Nebraska 22-4 to open the half and got as close as a 3-point deficit.
Senior guard Trey Galloway’s defensive efforts were a large contributor to Indiana’s run. Galloway took on the Tominaga assignment in the second half and the difference was night and day. Tominaga scored 2 points on 1-for-5 shooting in the latter frame.
Despite the Hoosiers’ best efforts late, they were never able get out in front and instead ran out of gas. After the deficit dropped to three points, Nebraska immediately improved it to a 10-point advantage and cruised to an 85-70 win. Indiana never led or tied the game from the first basket.
Next up, Indiana hopes to avoid a season-long four-game slide on the road, where it will face Penn State. Tipoff is scheduled for noon Saturday and will be televised on Big Ten Network.
Follow reporters Will Foley (@foles24) and Matt Press (@MattPress23) and columnist Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) for updates throughout the Indiana men’s basketball season.
