Huskers Fall at Home to Hawkeyes, Miss Out on B1G Tournament Opportunity
In a pivotal late-season matchup, the Nebraska Cornhuskers suffered a heartbreaking 73-61 defeat to the Iowa Hawkeyes, effectively ending their hopes of making the Big Ten Tournament. The loss came on the final day of the regular season and handed the Huskers their fourth consecutive defeat, leaving them with a 14-17 overall record and a disappointing 7-13 mark in conference play.
The game, played at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, was filled with high stakes. Nebraska entered the contest needing a victory to secure a spot in next week’s Big Ten Tournament in Chicago. However, despite a spirited effort, the Huskers couldn’t keep pace with an Iowa team that has been playing with confidence late in the season.
Nebraska came out of the gates slow, struggling to find offensive rhythm and missing key shots. Iowa capitalized early, opening a double-digit lead in the first half, thanks to the sharpshooting of junior guard Kris Murray, who finished with 20 points. The Hawkeyes were also dominant on the boards, winning the rebounding battle 39-28, a statistic that proved crucial in maintaining their lead throughout the game.
As the first half unfolded, Nebraska’s defense appeared porous, allowing Iowa to run an efficient offense with multiple scoring options. The Huskers’ leading scorer, Derrick Walker, found himself in foul trouble early and was limited in minutes during the opening period. The senior forward ended the game with just 10 points, well below his usual output. Nebraska’s offense was forced to rely on perimeter shooting, but shots from deep were inconsistent, with the Huskers hitting only 5 of 18 three-pointers.
Despite the early struggles, Nebraska fought back in the second half. After falling behind by as many as 15 points, the Huskers mounted a determined rally. A trio of fast-break buckets from freshman Jamarques Lawrence and an aggressive layup from Walker sparked a brief momentum shift. However, the Hawkeyes responded quickly, as guard Tony Perkins hit a clutch three-pointer and followed up with a couple of free throws to keep the Huskers at bay.
As the game wore on, it became clear that Nebraska was running out of time. Despite a late surge, which included a couple of timely three-pointers from Sam Griesel, the Huskers couldn’t overcome the Hawkeyes’ balanced attack. Iowa’s offensive efficiency, coupled with Nebraska’s inability to convert on key possessions, ultimately sealed the Huskers’ fate.
Head coach Fred Hoiberg expressed disappointment after the game, acknowledging the frustration of falling short in such a critical matchup. “We put ourselves in a position to fight for a spot in the Big Ten Tournament, and to come up short in a game like this is tough,” Hoiberg said. “We have a lot of heart in this locker room, but we just didn’t execute when it mattered most. Iowa played a great game, and we didn’t do enough to stop them.”
For Nebraska, the season ends on a somber note. The loss marks a missed opportunity for the program to build momentum heading into the offseason. While there were flashes of potential throughout the season, inconsistency plagued the team, and ultimately, they fell short of their goal.
As the Huskers look ahead, the focus will turn to next season. While there are several talented players on the roster, including young prospects like Lawrence and Griesel, Nebraska will need to make adjustments in both their offensive and defensive schemes if they hope to compete in the challenging Big Ten Conference. With the Big Ten Tournament out of reach, the Huskers will now begin preparations for the 2025-2026 campaign, aiming to make a stronger push for postseason contention.
