A strong first half start, mixed with a loud and rowdy PBA crowd turned out to be the recipe for success for the Huskers against the #18 Illini.
The Huskers upset Illinois 80-74 in overtime behind 27 points from their leading scorer Brice Williams.
After scoring 15 in the first half, Williams was slowed down in the second half until late, but was able to provide clutch shots to seal a key win for the Huskers.
It wasn’t easy, and Illinois freshman Kasparas Jakucionis proved that on Thursday night.
The projected NBA lottery pick produced an 18 point, 13 rebound double-double for the Illini, it was the efforts of him and fellow freshman Will Riley that brought the Illini back into the game.
Riley went on a tear in the second half, scoring 13 straight points at one point for the Illini, but once the Huskers adjusted to Riley, there was nothing else that Illinois could do to maintain their rhythm.
The Huskers now stand with a 13-8 record, and will face a big, but beatable road test against #16 Oregon.
Quick Oregon Preview:
The Ducks are having a solid debut season in the Big Ten, as they will enter Sundays matchup with the Huskers carrying a 16-4 record.
Coached by Wilbur, Nebraska native Dana Altman, the Ducks have played their fair share of tough games this season.
Headlined by upperclassmen, Oregon, like Nebraska, has struggled at times offensively which in result has cost the Ducks some big games this season.
Nate Bittle is the name to watch for the Ducks, as he leads the team in scoring with 13 PPG.