Nebraska Men's Basketball Snaps Losing Streak, Upsets No. 18 Illinois

The Huskers end their six-game losing streak with a ranked win.
Jan 30, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Brice Williams (3) dunks the ball against Illinois Fighting Illini forward Jake Davis (15) and guard Kasparas Jakucionis (32) during the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Jan 30, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Brice Williams (3) dunks the ball against Illinois Fighting Illini forward Jake Davis (15) and guard Kasparas Jakucionis (32) during the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. / Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

What a way to end the losing streak.

After dropping six consecutive games, Nebraska men's basketball upset No. 18 Illinois in overtime Thursday, 80-74. The Huskers improve to 13-8 on the year and 3-7 in the Big Ten Conference while the Illini fall to 14-7 overall and 6-5 in the league.

Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Fred Hoiberg watches during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini.
Jan 30, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Fred Hoiberg watches during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Pinnacle Bank Arena. / Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Nebraska never trailed in the game, but did have to hold off Illinois in the final minute of regulation. The Illini had the ball in the closing seconds but couldn't get a clean look, sending the game to overtime.

In the extra frame, the teams exchanged buckets before Brice Williams took over. The senior eight straight points to put the game away for the Big Red.

Williams finished with 27 points, adding eight rebounds and four assists. Connor Essegian (14) and Juwan Gary (13) also scored in double figures.

Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Juwan Gary (4) is helped up by forward Andrew Morgan (23) and guard Sam Hoiberg (1).
Jan 30, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Juwan Gary (4) is helped up by forward Andrew Morgan (23) and guard Sam Hoiberg (1) during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Pinnacle Bank Arena. / Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

The Huskers shot 39.7% for the game, including 5-of-20 from deep. The Illini shot 35.6% overall, making 10-of-42 3s.

The big difference in the game came from taking care of the ball. Nebraska had 15 assists and jsut six turnovers, while Illinois had seven assists and 17 turnovers.

The Illini won the rebounding battle 58-42, grabbing 20 offensive boards.

Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Rollie Worster (24) drives against Illinois Fighting Illini forward Ben Humrichous (3).
Jan 30, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Rollie Worster (24) drives against Illinois Fighting Illini forward Ben Humrichous (3) during the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. / Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Nebraska goes back on the road Sunday to face No. 16 Oregon. Tip from Eugene is set for 6:30 p.m. CST on Big Ten Network.

Box score

Nebraska Athletics Notes

  • With the 80-74 overtime win over No. 18 Illinois, Nebraska improved to 3-2 against ranked opponents this season. NU has three ranked wins in a season for the first time since 2013-14.
  • The win snapped a nine-game losing streak to Illinois dating back to 2018-18, as the Huskers tied the all-time series between the two programs in Lincoln (6-6).
  • Nebraska improved to 1-1 in overtime games this season. The Huskers snapped a two-game overtime losing streak, posting their first overtime victory since an 80-72 win over No. 6 Wisconsin at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Feb. 1, 2024.
  • The Huskers never trailed and led for a total of 39:30.
  • Fred Hoiberg earned his 31st career victory over a ranked team.
  • Nebraska committed only six turnovers in the game, including just one in the first half. The Huskers did not turn the ball over for the first 15:26 of the game.  The six turnovers tied for Nebraska’s fewest of the season, as the Huskers also had six turnovers against North Florida on Dec. 1.
  • Nebraska forced 17 Illinois turnovers, which marked the second-most turnovers by the Illini this season.
  • NU was plus-nine in the turnover department, its best mark in Big Ten play this season and its third-best margin of the season overall.
  • The Huskers held a 44-28 advantage in points in the paint. Nebraska is just the second team this season to outscore Illinois by 15 or more points in the paint.
  • Brice Williams scored a game-high 27 points, his ninth 20-point game of the season and the 25th of his career. Williams scored eight of his 10 points in overtime, as he personally outscored Illinois 8-4 in the extra period.
  • Williams made 10 field goals in the game, tying his season high and marking the fourth time this season he has made 10 field goals.
  • Along with his 27 points, Williams added eight rebounds and four assists. His eight rebounds were a season high, and his four assists were his third-highest total of the season.
  • Juwan Gary had 13 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two blocks. Gary reached double figures for the 12th time this season, and his two blocks tied his season high, and his three steals were his second-highest total of the season.
  • Connor Essegian scored 14 points off the bench, the 11th time he has scored in double figures this season and the 10th time he’s reached double figures off the bench. Nebraska’s bench was outscored 34-21.
  • Nebraska used its sixth different lineup of the season, as Rollie Worster returned to the starting lineup. It was Hoiberg’s second straight start for the Huskers and third in his career.

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Kaleb Henry
KALEB HENRY

Kaleb Henry is an award-winning sports reporter, covering collegiate athletics since 2014 via radio, podcasting, and digital journalism. His experience with Big Ten Conference teams goes back more than a decade, including time covering programs such as the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Oregon Ducks, and USC Trojans. He has contributed to Sports Illustrated since 2021. Kaleb has won multiple awards for his sports coverage from the Nebraska Broadcasters Association and Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association. Prior to working in sports journalism, Kaleb was a Division I athlete on the Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Track and Field team where he discussed NCAA legislation as SIUE's representative to the Ohio Valley Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.