Huskers hold on for second Big Ten win

Only 13 days.

That’s the length of time between Big Ten wins for Nebraska (6-17, 2-14 Big Ten). The previous drought was 342 days.

Officially Senior Night, Thorir Thorbjarnarson, Kobe Webster, and Derrick Walker were all honored before the 78-74 win over Minnesota (13-12, 6-12 Big Ten). All three are eligible to return for an extra season due to NCAA rules regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Huskers have three main issues all season: turnovers, scoring droughts, and giving up offensive rebounds. All three afflicted Nebraska, but down the stretch it was the seniors holding it all together.

Nebraska turned the ball over 18 times and gave up 16 offensive rebounds. Those combined for 33 Gopher points.

As for the scoring droughts, both were around five minutes in length. The first came in at the end of the first half, while the second hit right after Nebraska had taken a 13 point lead with 7:23 to go.

Nebraska’s Derrick Walker (13), Kobe Webster (10), and Thorir Thorbjarnarson (34) were honored Saturday for Senior Night. All three are elgibile to return for an extra season as ruled by the NCAA. (Image Courtesy Nebraska Athletics Communications Office)

That’s when the honored seniors made their presence felt. Thorbjarnarson, Walker, and Webster combined for the final 12 points for the Huskers. Minnesota closed the gap to as little as a single point, but Thor and Kobe made five free throws in the final 29 seconds to clinch the victory.

Dalano Banton led Nebraska with 14 points, adding seven rebounds, two assists, one blocked shot, and one steal. Over the previous three games, Banton had a total of eight points.

Also scoring in double-figures were Walker (12), Trey McGowens (11), Thorbjarnarson (10), and Webster (10).

Nebraska shot 54.5 percent from the floor, including 9-of-17 on 3s.

While the number of turnovers remained an issue, Nebraska passed the ball well to the tune of 19 assists. That is the most since 19 in the win against Penn State February 14.

Nebraska stays home to host Rutgers Monday in a rescheduled game.

Nebraska Game Notes
*-Nebraska shot over 50 percent for the second time in the last three games, finishing at 54.5 percent, its highest percentage in Big Ten play this season
*-Nebraska shot a season-best 52.9 percent from 3-point range (9-of-17), the first time NU shot 50 percent of better from long range since Nov.25, 2019 against Washington State
*-The home team has won 14 of the last 15 meetings in the series dating back to 2013.  NU is now 6-0 against Minnesota in Pinnacle Bank Arena

*-Nebraska put five players in double figures for the fifth time this season.
*-Nebraska’s 19 assists ties its highest effort in Big Ten play (at Penn State on 2/14)
*-Thorir Thorbjarnarson had a season-high 10 points in tonight’s start. It was his first double-figure effort of the year. He is now the 10^th Husker with a double-figure game in 2020-21
*-Derrick Walker posted career highs in points (11), rebounds (nine) and minutes (31).
*Marcus Carr’s 41-point effort tied the PBA record for most points set earlier this week by Teddy Allen. Prior to tonight, the last 40-point game for a Husker opponent was Jarrius Jackson of Texas Tech, who had 41 on Feb. 18, 2006.