An energy filled Pinnacle Bank Arena just didn’t have enough for Nebraska men’s basketball on Senior Night.
A strong second half for Michigan State put away Big Red 80-67. The Huskers fall to 15-15 on the year and 8-11 in the Big Ten.
After honoring the seniors of Emmanuel Bandoumel, Sam Griesel, Keisei Tominaga, and Derrick Walker, Nebraska sprinted out the gate. Although Michigan State scored first, NU put together an 8-0 that was followed up with a 9-0 run a few minutes later.
Nebraska’s lead grew to as much as 15 in the first half before a 38-26 score shown at halftime.
The Huskers shot 58 percent in the first half while the Spartans managed just 28 percent. But MSU got up 10 more shots thanks to eight offensive rebounds.
Then in the second half, Michigan State forgot how to miss.
The Spartans hit four 3s in the first 3:06. Nebraska held off the run with a bucket here and there, adding in a 7-0 run over 56 seconds. But MSU put together a 15-1 run as NU went 7:58 without making a shot.
At that point, the Spartans had the lead and never let it go.
The visitors stayed hot while the home team couldn’t buy a bucket. Nebraska only made one shot in the final 5:22: a Jamarques Lawrence garbage time layup with eight seconds left.
Michigan State shot 67.9 percent in the second half, including making 12-of-17 3s. That improved their full game numbers to 45.3 percent and 16-of-29.
Nebraska finished 51 percent shooting, adding 7-of-23 3s.
That’s a respectable shooting night for Big Red. But Michigan State couldn’t miss and ended up with 12 offensive rebounds that led to 16 second chance points.
Tominaga led the Huskers with 20 points. Lawrence (15), Walker (13), and Griesel (12) also finished in double digits.
Nebraska closes out the regular season on the road at Iowa Sunday.