Ninth-ranked Illinois handed fifth-ranked Nebraska its second straight loss of the season with a xx-xx victory on Sunday at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln. The Cornhuskers have lost two games after starting the season 20-0 (9-0 in the Big Ten).
At halftime, Nebraska led 39-33 as Price Sandford and Brayden Frege each scored 12 points. But the Illini went on a 16-8 run at the start of the second half, with Keaton Wagler’s three-pointer helping them lead 49-47.
The Cornhuskers tied the score to 51-50 on Frege’s three-pointer, but Illinois responded with one of two free throws from Wagler and a three-pointer from the left corner by Jake Davis. David Milkovich quickly hit a layup to extend the Illini’s lead to 58-52. In the end, Wagler’s five points and Andrei Stojakovic’s three-pointer extended the lead to 11 points.
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Wagler led Illinois with 28 points (10 of 12 free throws), 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals. Davis made 3 of 6 three-pointers and scored 13 points. Tomislav Ivicic added 12 points and eight rebounds for the Illini, which improved their record to 19-3.
In the Big Ten, Illinois is tied with third-ranked Michigan State for first place with a 10-1 record. Nebraska dropped to second place at 9-2, tied with No. 7 Michigan State.
The Cornhuskers suffered a frustrating 75-72 loss to Michigan last Tuesday, missing two 3-pointers in the final seconds. Nebraska fans were also frustrated by the foul call on Sam Hoiberg, who was whistled for a blocked shot but appeared to have a chance to press charges. However, the official obviously felt that Hoiberg stepped on the penalty area under the basket.
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This story will be updated.
