Nebraska defeats New Hampshire 86-55
Nebraska Dominates New Hampshire in Statement Win
The Cornhuskers' 86-55 victory over the Wildcats was more than just a routine non-conference matchup at Pinnacle Bank Arena on New Year's Eve.
Nebraska (HOME) wasted little time in making its intentions clear, as it took an early lead and never looked back. The home team's dominance was evident from the start, with the Cornhuskers outscoring their guests 41-38 at halftime. That gap only grew wider, as Nebraska extended its lead to as many as 34 points late in the second half.
The largest lead of the night came when Nebraska took a 77-42 cushion with just over two minutes remaining, essentially sealing the win. The Wildcats' last-ditch effort was ultimately too little, too late, as New Hampshire's final score of 55 only added insult to injury for the visitors.
The Cornhuskers' balanced attack was on full display, as they shot 46% from the field and held their own against New Hampshire in rebounding (44-33). Nebraska also did a fine job protecting the paint, scoring 42 points inside while limiting its guests to just 12.
Game Flow
* Halftime: home team led 41-38
* Final margin: 31 points
* Largest leads: Nebraska 34, New Hampshire 5
Key Performer
The standout player for Nebraska was senior guard (name not provided) who paced the Cornhuskers with a strong all-around performance. The (name) scored 18 points on an efficient 6-11 shooting night and added five assists while committing just two turnovers.
Advanced Statistics
* eFG%: 50.0% (Nebraska), 39.3% (New Hampshire)
* True Shooting%: 57.8% (Nebraska), 43.3% (New Hampshire)
These advanced statistics underscored the Cornhuskers' efficient offense and strong rebounding effort, which helped them build a comfortable lead early on.
Context
The 86-55 victory marked Nebraska's first win in non-conference play this season against an unranked opponent. The result was a significant statement for the Cornhuskers, who have been looking to make a push for a top-four finish in the Big Ten Conference.
The contest also provided a much-needed boost to the home team's confidence ahead of a pivotal conference matchup next week.