Huskers Drop Big Ten Opener at Michigan State

A poor shooting afternoon proved costly, as Nebraska dropped its Big Ten opener to Michigan State, 89-52, Saturday at the Breslin Center.

Nebraska shot just 33 on the day, including 29 percent in the second half, to fall to 6-2 overall (0-1 Big Ten).

Nebraska was within 37-31 in the final minute of the first half before MSU closed the half with two baskets from Jaxon Kohler before taking control in the opening minutes of the second half. The Spartans opened the second half with a 27-3 run as NU missed 12 of its first 13 field goal attempts after halftime to put the game out of reach.

Andrew Morgan led NU with 14 points and seven rebounds off the bench for Nebraska while Brice Williams added 11 for the Huskers

Jaden Aikens had 18 points for Michigan State (8-2, 2-0) while Jase Richardson added 16 as the Spartans shot 52 percent, including nine 3-pointers, and went 22-23 from the foul line.  Kohler finished with eight points and 12 rebounds, as MSU enjoyed a 48-19 advantage on the glass.

The Huskers shot just 39 percent in the first half but were within striking distance before Michigan State got two late baskets to take a 41-31 lead into the locker room.

The Spartans got off to a 7-0 lead before Nebraska responded with a 7-0 run of their own to pull even after a 3-pointer from Berke Büyüktuncel. The Huskers and Spartans were tied at 12 after a pair of Williams free throws at the 12:54 mark, but MSU used a 12-2 run to stretch the lead to 13.

The Huskers would chip away behind Andrew Morgan, who had five of his nine first-half points in an 8-2 surge to get NU within 26-21 with just over six minutes left before a pair of tough breaks keyed a 9-0 run for MSU. Jeremy Fear Jr. picked up a loose ball after a deflection and slid across the Bresin Center floor before finding Coen Carr on an alley-oop to ignite the crowd.  Richardson then hit a 3-pointer on the subsequent possession before a foul on Connor Essegian was called a flagrant foul, giving MSU two free throws and the ball. Richardson hit both free throws before a Fears basket pushed the lead to 35-21 lead with 4:10 left

Nebraska used a 9-0 spurt to get back in the game and pulled within 37-31 following a Williams 3-pointer with 1:15 left in the half before MSU  stretched the lead to 10 at the break.

The Huskers return home on Friday night, as Nebraska hosts Indiana in its Big Ten home opener. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. (central) and a limited number of tickets are available by visiting Huskers.com/Tickets or by calling the Nebraska Athletic Ticket Office at 800-8-BIGRED during business hours (Mon-Fri. – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Nebraska Postgame Notes vs. Michigan State
*-Nebraska sees its three-game win streak snapped.
*-Nebraska has lost its last six Big Ten openers, all coming away from home.
*-Michigan State became the first Husker opponent in 25 games to shoot at least 50 percent from the field dating back to last season, as the Spartans shot 51.8 percent from the field.
*-Saturday’s game marked the first time Nebraska was out-rebounded this season.
*-Andrew Morgan came off the bench to lead NU in scoring and rebounding with 14 points and seven boards. It marks the eighth double-figure effort by a Husker reserve this season. Morgan’s 14 points were a season high.
*-Brice Williams extended his streak of double figure games to 12 with his 11-point effort at Michigan State.