Brice WilliamsBrice Williams
Men's Basketball

Huskers Rout Lions in Season-Opener

Box Score

Sam Hoiberg’s 15 points led five Huskers in double figures, as the Nebraska men’s basketball team opened the 2023-24 season with an 84-52 win over Lindenwood Monday evening.

Nebraska showed a balanced attack with five players in double figures and 10 cracking the scoring column, as the Huskers took control early with a dominant offensive performance. 

Hoiberg tied his career high with 15 points, while Rienk Mast (13), Brice Williams (13), C.J. Wilcher (13) and Josiah Allick (11) all finished in double figures. NU had 19 assists on 27 baskets, including 13 on 17 first-half baskets.

The Huskers (1-0) shot 57 percent in the first half, including nine 3-pointers, in building a 51-24 halftime lead. NU had a 10-0 run and a pair of 9-0 spurts in opening 20 minutes, as Hoiberg and Mast combined for 20 first-half points.

Lindenwood was within 11-8 with 14:56 mark of the first half before Nebraska took control with a 17-2 spurt to build a 28-10 lead after two straight baskets from Mast, who hit 4-of-5 shots in the opening half. From there, NU took control from long range, hitting six 3-pointers in the last six minutes of the half in leading by as many as 29 points before taking a 51-24 lead at the break.

Nebraska opened the second half with seven straight points to build a 58-24 lead and led by as much as 36 points before cruising to a 32-point win.

Keenon Cole led Lindenwood (0-1) with 14 points, while Jeremiah Talton added 10 points off the bench as the Lions shot just 32 percent, including 3-of-16 from 3-poin range.

The Huskers will return to action at Pinnacle Bank Arena this Thursday, Nov. 9, when they face off against Florida A&M at 7 p.m. (CT). The game will be streamed on B1G+ with audio coverage provided on the Huskers Radio Network. Tickets are available by visiting Huskers.com/Tickets or calling 800-8-BIGRED during business hours (8-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.).

Game Notes

  • Nebraska put five players in double figures, led by Sam Hoiberg’s 15 points. Hoiberg tied a career high with 15 points (also at Maryland on 1/28/23).
  • Three of the Huskers’ five double-figure efforts were by players making their NU debut, including Rienk Mast (13), Brice Williams (13) and Josiah Allick (11). In all, 47 of NU’s 84 points were by newcomers.
  • Nebraska’s 84 points is the most since scoring 88 against Boston College on Nov. 30, 2022.
  • Nebraska’s 51-point first half was NU’s highest scoring first half since scoring 57 against Doane on Dec. 17, 2000. It tied NU’s highest first-half vs. a Division I team under Hoiberg, as Nebraska also had 51 against South Dakota State on Nov. 15, 2019. Nebraska shot 57 percent in the first half, including 9-of-19 from 3-point range.
  • Nebraska improved to 87-41 in season openers and has won 21 of the last 23 season openers.
  • Nebraska finished with 19 assists and just nine turnovers on the night. NU had 13 assists on its 17 first-half basket.
  • Nebraska finished with 11 3-pointers on the night. The Huskers had just three games with 10+ three-pointers in 2022-23.