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OHIOST

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Nebraska tops No. 23 OSU, Hoiberg's 1st win over ranked foe

AP
Mar 01, 2022

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Bryce McGowens scored 26 points, Alonzo Verge Jr. had 13 points and 11 assists, and Nebraska beat No. 23 Ohio State 78-70 on Tuesday night.

The Cornhuskers (9-21, 3-16 Big Ten) bested a ranked opponent for the first time under third-year coach Fred Hoiberg. He came in 0-23 against teams in the AP Top 25, and Nebraska was 0-24 overall since beating a ranked Maryland squad during the 2019 Big Ten Tournament.

C.J. Wilcher added 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting for the Huskers, who overcame a seven-point deficit in the first half and won their second straight game.

''To have some momentum, something to feel good about, I think is very important,'' Hoiberg said. ''Just keep battling, keep grinding, keep going in and practicing and getting better. I like our mentality right now.''

E.J. Liddell had 27 points and 14 rebounds, his seventh double-double of the season, for Ohio State (18-9, 11-7). Malaki Branham scored 16 points.

Ohio State got within four points with 55 seconds remaining, but the Huskers went 5-for-6 at the free-throw line to put away their first win over the Buckeyes since Feb. 18, 2017.

''We have to correct what we can correct,'' Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann said. ''The bottom line is is we're not connected enough on either end right now. We did not play together enough on either end. We just did not. That's my fault.''

The Huskers shot 49.1% overall and 56% in the first half. Ohio State led 26-19 midway through the half, but Nebraska took a 43-36 advantage thanks to an 8-minute stretch without a field goal for the Buckeyes. The cold spell finally ended when Branham connected on a 3-pointer with 10 seconds left in the half.

BIG PICTURE

Nebraska: The Huskers scored at least 78 points and shot 49% or better for the third consecutive game. They hadn't done either in back-to-back conference games this season until beginning their streak against then-No. 25 Iowa on Friday.

Ohio State: The Buckeyes shot below 40% and failed to lead in the second half for the second game in a row. This is their second straight loss to an unranked opponent and third in five games.

''We're obviously really struggling right now. That's no secret,'' Holtmann said. ''We'll see if this group has the ability to find a way to gain a little trust in each other and confidence.''

COMPLEMENTARY OFFENSE

Trey McGowens, Bryce's brother, had seven points, six rebounds and four steals for Nebraska. He missed 15 games this season after surgery on a broken foot, including the first matchup with Ohio State on Jan. 2.

Witcher made three 3-pointers among his season-high six field goals and his 15 points were his most in seven games.

''It was really good to see our guys finding him in the first half. He's shooting the ball at a really high clip, especially this last half of the season,'' Hoiberg said. ''When C.J. has got an open shot, I think everybody in that locker room thinks that thing is going in.''

FRESHMAN SHOWDOWN

In the first meeting between the teams, Branham scored 35 points, a program record for points by a freshman in a Big Ten game.

Bryce McGowens, who leads Big Ten freshmen in scoring while Branham is No. 2, had the edge Tuesday. He was 8 of 15 from the floor while Branham was 5 of 11 and fouled out with 25 seconds left.

''Having a chance to come out and compete, everybody steps on the floor to win,'' McGowens said. ''I thank the coach, thank the team for coming out and competing every day. The rest will take care of itself.''

PLAGUED BY INJURIES

Zed Key, who started the previous 13 games for the Buckeyes, was unavailable because of an ankle injury.

Kyle Young, who started in Key's place, missed the second half due to illness. Ohio State already is without Seth Towns for the remainder of the season as he rehabilitates a back injury.

''This is the worst season of injuries I've ever had,'' Holtmann said. ''I thought last year was bad, and this has been, now, worse with some of our season-ending injuries.''

UP NEXT

Nebraska: At No. 10 Wisconsin on Sunday.

Ohio State: Hosts Michigan State on Thursday.

---

More AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25

1st Half
NEB
Cornhuskers
43
OSU
Buckeyes
39

Time		Play	Score
20:00		Derrick Walker vs. Kyle Young (Buckeyes gains possession)
19:38		E.J. Liddell misses two point jump shot
19:36		Buckeyes offensive rebound
19:33	+2	E.J. Liddell makes two point fadeaway jump shot	0-2
19:19		E.J. Liddell blocks Alonzo Verge Jr.'s two point layup
19:17		Derrick Walker offensive rebound
19:18	+2	Derrick Walker makes two point putback layup	2-2
19:18		E.J. Liddell shooting foul (Derrick Walker draws the foul)
19:18		Derrick Walker misses regular free throw 1 of 1
19:18		E.J. Liddell defensive rebound
18:54	+2	Kyle Young makes two point turnaround hook shot	2-4
18:36		Kyle Young shooting foul (Bryce McGowens draws the foul)
18:36	+1	Bryce McGowens makes regular free throw 1 of 2	3-4
18:36	+1	Bryce McGowens makes regular free throw 2 of 2	4-4
18:25		Malaki Branham misses three point jump shot
18:23		E.J. Liddell offensive rebound
18:17		E.J. Liddell misses two point jump shot
18:15		Trey McGowens defensive rebound
18:12		E.J. Liddell blocks Alonzo Verge Jr.'s two point layup
18:10		Buckeyes defensive rebound
17:56		Kyle Young misses two point layup
17:54		E.J. Liddell offensive rebound
17:53	+2	E.J. Liddell makes two point putback layup	4-6
17:38	+2	Derrick Walker makes two point layup (Alonzo Verge Jr. assists)	6-6
17:19		Lat Mayen personal foul (Malaki Branham draws the foul)
17:13		Malaki Branham misses two point jump shot
17:11		Alonzo Verge Jr. defensive rebound
17:04	+3	Lat Mayen makes three point jump shot (Alonzo Verge Jr. assists)	9-6
16:44		Jamari Wheeler misses three point jump shot
16:42		Kyle Young offensive rebound
16:37		Kyle Young turnover (lost ball) (Trey McGowens steals)
16:37		Cornhuskers 30 second timeout
16:26		Lat Mayen misses three point jump shot
16:24		Eugene Brown III defensive rebound
16:06		Kyle Young misses three point jump shot
16:04		Bryce McGowens defensive rebound
15:54		Bryce McGowens turnover (double dribble)
15:54		TV timeout
15:47		Jamari Wheeler turnover (lost ball) (Trey McGowens steals)
15:29		Jamari Wheeler personal foul (Alonzo Verge Jr. draws the foul)
15:24		Eugene Brown III personal foul (Bryce McGowens draws the foul)
15:19		Bryce McGowens misses three point jump shot
15:17		Malaki Branham defensive rebound
15:07	+2	Eugene Brown III makes two point layup (Malaki Branham assists)	9-8
14:53		Kyle Young blocks Alonzo Verge Jr.'s two point layup
14:52		Buckeyes defensive rebound
14:37		Malaki Branham misses two point jump shot
14:35		Derrick Walker defensive rebound
14:13	+3	C.J. Wilcher makes three point jump shot (Kobe Webster assists)	12-8
13:55	+3	E.J. Liddell makes three point jump shot (Jimmy Sotos assists)	12-11
13:41		C.J. Wilcher turnover (bad pass) (Jimmy Sotos steals)
13:41		Derrick Walker personal foul (Jimmy Sotos draws the foul)
13:27	+2	E.J. Liddell makes two point jump shot (Eugene Brown III assists)	12-13
12:52		Trey McGowens misses two point jump shot
12:50		Kyle Young defensive rebound
12:49		Trey McGowens personal foul (Kyle Young draws the foul)
12:28	+2	Malaki Branham makes two point pullup jump shot (E.J. Liddell assists)	12-15
11:59		Kyle Young shooting foul (Lat Mayen draws the foul)
11:59		TV timeout
11:59	+1	Lat Mayen makes regular free throw 1 of 2	13-15
11:59	+1	Lat Mayen makes regular free throw 2 of 2	14-15
11:32		E.J. Liddell misses two point jump shot
11:30		Eugene Brown III offensive rebound
11:24	+2	Eugene Brown III makes two point putback layup	14-17
11:14	+3	Kobe Webster makes three point jump shot (Alonzo Verge Jr. assists)	17-17
10:58		Eduardo Andre personal foul (E.J. Liddell draws the foul)
10:47	+3	Malaki Branham makes three point jump shot (Eugene Brown III assists)	17-20
10:29	+2	C.J. Wilcher makes two point driving layup	19-20
10:14	+3	Jimmy Sotos makes three point jump shot (Justin Ahrens assists)	19-23
9:47		Alonzo Verge Jr. turnover (bad pass)
9:28	+3	Justin Ahrens makes three point jump shot (Malaki Branham assists)	19-26
9:25		Cornhuskers 30 second timeout
9:17		Bryce McGowens misses three point jump shot
9:15		Joey Brunk defensive rebound
9:06		Joey Brunk misses two point jump shot
9:04		Buckeyes offensive rebound
8:58		E.J. Liddell turnover (lost ball) (C.J. Wilcher steals)
8:51	+3	C.J. Wilcher makes three point jump shot (Alonzo Verge Jr. assists)	22-26
8:25		Joey Brunk misses two point hook shot
8:23		E.J. Liddell offensive rebound
8:12	+2	Malaki Branham makes two point floating jump shot	22-28
7:53	+3	C.J. Wilcher makes three point jump shot (Alonzo Verge Jr. assists)	25-28
7:27		Malaki Branham offensive foul (Trey McGowens draws the foul)
7:27		Malaki Branham turnover
7:27		TV timeout
7:20		C.J. Wilcher misses three point jump shot
7:18		Jamari Wheeler defensive rebound
6:49		Derrick Walker shooting foul (Eugene Brown III draws the foul)
6:49	+1	Eugene Brown III makes regular free throw 1 of 2	25-29
6:49	+1	Eugene Brown III makes regular free throw 2 of 2	25-30
6:31	+2	Alonzo Verge Jr. makes two point pullup jump shot	27-30
6:13		Malaki Branham misses two point jump shot
6:11		Trey McGowens defensive rebound
5:51	+2	Eduardo Andre makes two point layup (Alonzo Verge Jr. assists)	29-30
5:37		E.J. Liddell misses three point jump shot
5:35		Eduardo Andre defensive rebound
5:21		E.J. Liddell blocks Bryce McGowens's two point layup
5:19		Eduardo Andre offensive rebound
5:15	+2	Bryce McGowens makes two point jump shot (Alonzo Verge Jr. assists)	31-30
4:43		Justin Ahrens misses two point jump shot
4:41		Eduardo Andre defensive rebound
4:35	+2	Bryce McGowens makes two point layup	33-30
4:34		Buckeyes 30 second timeout
4:20		Lat Mayen shooting foul (E.J. Liddell draws the foul)
4:20	+1	E.J. Liddell makes regular free throw 1 of 2	33-31
4:20	+1	E.J. Liddell makes regular free throw 2 of 2	33-32
4:05	+2	C.J. Wilcher makes two point layup (Alonzo Verge Jr. assists)	35-32
3:39		Eugene Brown III misses three point jump shot
3:37		Alonzo Verge Jr. defensive rebound
3:29		Bryce McGowens misses three point jump shot
3:27		E.J. Liddell defensive rebound
3:26		Eduardo Andre personal foul (E.J. Liddell draws the foul)
3:26		TV timeout
3:26	+1	E.J. Liddell makes regular free throw 1 of 2	35-33
3:26	+1	E.J. Liddell makes regular free throw 2 of 2	35-34
3:15		Joey Brunk shooting foul (Bryce McGowens draws the foul)
3:15		Bryce McGowens misses regular free throw 1 of 2
3:15	+1	Bryce McGowens makes regular free throw 2 of 2	36-34
2:54		Cedric Russell misses two point jump shot
2:52		E.J. Liddell offensive rebound
2:48		E.J. Liddell turnover (lost ball) (Trey McGowens steals)
2:33	+2	Alonzo Verge Jr. makes two point jump shot	38-34
2:09		Eduardo Andre personal foul (Jimmy Sotos draws the foul)
2:09	+1	Jimmy Sotos makes regular free throw 1 of 2	38-35
2:09	+1	Jimmy Sotos makes regular free throw 2 of 2	38-36
1:54		Alonzo Verge Jr. misses two point layup
1:52		Jamari Wheeler defensive rebound
1:45		Alonzo Verge Jr. personal foul (E.J. Liddell draws the foul)
1:45		E.J. Liddell misses regular free throw 1 of 1
1:45		C.J. Wilcher defensive rebound
1:33		Malaki Branham personal foul (Bryce McGowens draws the foul)
1:33	+1	Bryce McGowens makes regular free throw 1 of 2	39-36
1:33	+1	Bryce McGowens makes regular free throw 2 of 2	40-36
1:08		Meechie Johnson Jr. misses three point jump shot
1:06		Kobe Webster defensive rebound
0:41	+3	Bryce McGowens makes three point jump shot (Alonzo Verge Jr. assists)	43-36
0:26		Meechie Johnson Jr. misses three point jump shot
0:24		Eugene Brown III offensive rebound
0:17		Eugene Brown III misses two point jump shot
0:15		Eugene Brown III offensive rebound
0:10	+3	Malaki Branham makes three point jump shot (Eugene Brown III assists)	43-39
0:01		C.J. Wilcher misses three point jump shot
0:00		Buckeyes defensive rebound
0:00		End of period

2nd Half
NEB
Cornhuskers
35
OSU
Buckeyes
31

Time		Play	Score
19:47		Derrick Walker shooting foul (E.J. Liddell draws the foul)
19:47	+1	E.J. Liddell makes regular free throw 1 of 2	43-40
19:47	+1	E.J. Liddell makes regular free throw 2 of 2	43-41
19:32	+2	Bryce McGowens makes two point driving dunk	45-41
19:12		E.J. Liddell misses two point jump shot
19:10		Lat Mayen defensive rebound
19:03		Lat Mayen misses three point jump shot
19:01		Trey McGowens offensive rebound
18:54		E.J. Liddell blocks Alonzo Verge Jr.'s two point layup
18:52		Justin Ahrens defensive rebound
18:47		Malaki Branham turnover (traveling)
18:38		Bryce McGowens misses three point jump shot
18:36		Malaki Branham defensive rebound
18:29		Eugene Brown III misses two point jump shot
18:27		Lat Mayen defensive rebound
18:17	+2	C.J. Wilcher makes two point finger roll layup	47-41
17:46		Justin Ahrens misses three point jump shot
17:44		Trey McGowens defensive rebound
17:35	+2	Trey McGowens makes two point driving layup	49-41
17:31		Buckeyes 30 second timeout
17:31		TV timeout
17:18	+2	Malaki Branham makes two point driving layup	49-43
16:58	+2	Bryce McGowens makes two point dunk	51-43
16:42		Trey McGowens personal foul (Malaki Branham draws the foul)
16:34		Official timeout
16:34		TV timeout
16:18		Jamari Wheeler turnover (lost ball) (Trey McGowens steals)
16:18		C.J. Wilcher misses two point jump shot
16:16		E.J. Liddell defensive rebound
15:52		C.J. Wilcher personal foul (E.J. Liddell draws the foul)
15:46		Malaki Branham misses two point jump shot
15:44		Trey McGowens defensive rebound
15:38		E.J. Liddell personal foul (Bryce McGowens draws the foul)
15:36	+2	Bryce McGowens makes two point jump shot (Alonzo Verge Jr. assists)	53-43
15:02		E.J. Liddell misses two point jump shot
15:00		Alonzo Verge Jr. defensive rebound
14:51		Bryce McGowens turnover (lost ball) (E.J. Liddell steals)
14:40	+2	Jamari Wheeler makes two point driving layup	53-45
14:23		E.J. Liddell blocks C.J. Wilcher's two point jump shot
14:21		C.J. Wilcher offensive rebound
14:14		Lat Mayen misses three point jump shot
14:12		E.J. Liddell defensive rebound
13:54	+3	E.J. Liddell makes three point jump shot (Jimmy Sotos assists)	53-48
13:34	+3	Bryce McGowens makes three point jump shot (Alonzo Verge Jr. assists)	56-48
13:06		Trey McGowens personal foul (E.J. Liddell draws the foul)
12:49		Jamari Wheeler misses three point jump shot
12:47		Alonzo Verge Jr. defensive rebound
12:24		Alonzo Verge Jr. misses two point layup
12:22		E.J. Liddell defensive rebound
12:15	+2	E.J. Liddell makes two point jump shot	56-50
11:51	+2	Trey McGowens makes two point driving jump shot	58-50
11:25		TV timeout
11:20		Lat Mayen shooting foul (E.J. Liddell draws the foul)
11:20	+1	E.J. Liddell makes regular free throw 1 of 2	58-51
11:20	+1	E.J. Liddell makes regular free throw 2 of 2	58-52
11:03		Trey McGowens misses three point jump shot
11:01		E.J. Liddell defensive rebound
10:50		Malaki Branham turnover (lost ball)
10:30	+3	Trey McGowens makes three point jump shot	61-52
10:04	+3	Jimmy Sotos makes three point jump shot (Justin Ahrens assists)	61-55
9:44		Kobe Webster misses three point jump shot
9:42		Justin Ahrens defensive rebound
9:33		E.J. Liddell misses three point jump shot
9:31		Derrick Walker defensive rebound
9:06	+2	Bryce McGowens makes two point floating jump shot	63-55
9:06		E.J. Liddell shooting foul (Bryce McGowens draws the foul)
9:06	+1	Bryce McGowens makes regular free throw 1 of 1	64-55
8:51		Cedric Russell misses three point jump shot
8:49		Bryce McGowens defensive rebound
8:23		Kobe Webster misses three point jump shot
8:21		E.J. Liddell defensive rebound
8:00		Derrick Walker shooting foul (E.J. Liddell draws the foul)
8:00		TV timeout
8:00		E.J. Liddell misses regular free throw 1 of 2
8:00	+1	E.J. Liddell makes regular free throw 2 of 2	64-56
7:39		Bryce McGowens misses three point jump shot
7:37		E.J. Liddell defensive rebound
7:15		Bryce McGowens personal foul (E.J. Liddell draws the foul)
7:15	+1	E.J. Liddell makes regular free throw 1 of 2	64-57
7:15	+1	E.J. Liddell makes regular free throw 2 of 2	64-58
7:02	+3	Alonzo Verge Jr. makes three point step back jump shot	67-58
6:29		E.J. Liddell misses three point jump shot
6:27		Bryce McGowens defensive rebound
6:27		Justin Ahrens personal foul (Bryce McGowens draws the foul)
6:10		C.J. Wilcher misses two point jump shot
6:08		Jamari Wheeler defensive rebound
5:53	+2	Cedric Russell makes two point pullup jump shot	67-60
5:24	+2	Alonzo Verge Jr. makes two point finger roll layup	69-60
4:54	+2	Jamari Wheeler makes two point jump shot	69-62
4:52		Buckeyes 30 second timeout
4:37		Alonzo Verge Jr. misses three point jump shot
4:35		Cedric Russell defensive rebound
4:15		Lat Mayen blocks E.J. Liddell's two point jump shot
4:13		Alonzo Verge Jr. defensive rebound
4:09	+2	Alonzo Verge Jr. makes two point layup	71-62
3:49		Cedric Russell misses three point jump shot
3:47		Trey McGowens defensive rebound
3:46		Malaki Branham personal foul (Trey McGowens draws the foul)
3:46		TV timeout
3:33		Malaki Branham shooting foul (Alonzo Verge Jr. draws the foul)
3:33	+1	Alonzo Verge Jr. makes regular free throw 1 of 2	72-62
3:33	+1	Alonzo Verge Jr. makes regular free throw 2 of 2	73-62
3:19		Cedric Russell misses three point jump shot
3:17		Jamari Wheeler offensive rebound
3:13	+2	Jamari Wheeler makes two point putback layup	73-64
2:59		Justin Ahrens personal foul (Alonzo Verge Jr. draws the foul)
2:39		E.J. Liddell blocks Alonzo Verge Jr.'s two point layup
2:37		E.J. Liddell defensive rebound
2:19		Trey McGowens personal foul (Cedric Russell draws the foul)
2:19		Cedric Russell misses regular free throw 1 of 1
2:19		Buckeyes offensive rebound
2:10		Justin Ahrens misses three point jump shot
2:08		E.J. Liddell offensive rebound
2:04	+2	E.J. Liddell makes two point putback layup	73-66
1:51		Alonzo Verge Jr. misses two point layup
1:49		Jimmy Sotos defensive rebound
1:41		C.J. Wilcher shooting foul (Malaki Branham draws the foul)
1:41		Malaki Branham misses regular free throw 1 of 2
1:41	+1	Malaki Branham makes regular free throw 2 of 2	73-67
1:15		Bryce McGowens misses two point floating jump shot
1:13		Jimmy Sotos defensive rebound
1:04		Malaki Branham misses three point jump shot
1:02		Justin Ahrens offensive rebound
0:58		Buckeyes 60 second timeout
0:55		Trey McGowens personal foul (Malaki Branham draws the foul)
0:55	+1	Malaki Branham makes regular free throw 1 of 2	73-68
0:55	+1	Malaki Branham makes regular free throw 2 of 2	73-69
0:51		Jimmy Sotos shooting foul (Lat Mayen draws the foul)
0:51		Lat Mayen misses regular free throw 1 of 2
0:51	+1	Lat Mayen makes regular free throw 2 of 2	74-69
0:39		E.J. Liddell misses three point jump shot
0:37		Bryce McGowens defensive rebound
0:36		Jamari Wheeler personal foul (Bryce McGowens draws the foul)
0:36	+1	Bryce McGowens makes regular free throw 1 of 2	75-69
0:36	+1	Bryce McGowens makes regular free throw 2 of 2	76-69
0:29		Kobe Webster shooting foul (Malaki Branham draws the foul)
0:29	+1	Malaki Branham makes regular free throw 1 of 2	76-70
0:29		Malaki Branham misses regular free throw 2 of 2
0:29		Derrick Walker defensive rebound
0:25		Malaki Branham personal foul (Kobe Webster draws the foul)
0:25	+1	Kobe Webster makes regular free throw 1 of 2	77-70
0:25	+1	Kobe Webster makes regular free throw 2 of 2	78-70
0:18		Jimmy Sotos misses two point layup
0:16		Derrick Walker defensive rebound
0:00		End of period

Derrick Walker defensive rebound