Nebraska stuns Illinois at the horn. Jamarques Lawrence rose into a clean rhythm three, let it fly, and watched it drop with 0.2 seconds left. The shot silenced a roaring crowd, then sent Nebraska sprinting into history. The Huskers beat No. 13 Illinois 83 to 80 on the road, pushed their school-record win streak to 15, and stamped an 11 and 0 start that no one can ignore.
The Shot that Changed the Night
Illinois had just clawed back again. Tomislav Ivisic drilled a clutch three to tie it late. Nebraska did not blink. The Huskers moved with purpose, kept their spacing, and found their calm. Lawrence stepped into the moment and buried the game winner from deep with a heartbeat left on the clock.
The bench exploded. The building froze. That is how you announce yourself in the Big Ten.
Nebraska has won 15 straight games and is off to the best start in program history at 11 and 0.
Sandfort’s Surge, Huskers’ Poise
This was not a one-shot miracle. Nebraska controlled large parts of the game with confident offense and crisp pace. Pryce Sandfort set the tone and then kept pouring it on. He scored a career-high 32 points, punished closeouts, and hit six threes with smooth form. His gravity opened gaps all night and forced Illinois into tough rotations.
Rienk Mast added 17 points and steadied Nebraska in the paint. The Huskers shot 51.6 percent from the field and 12 of 26 from three. That balance built cushions that helped them withstand Illinois runs. It was not perfect, but it was composed, which is the real marker of growth.
Illinois Fights Back, Again and Again
Illinois looked buried more than once, then surged behind fearless guards and a bruising wing rotation. Kylan Boswell attacked early, hit key jumpers, and finished with 20 points. Freshman Keaton Wagler showed a veteran pulse with a 19 point, 10 assist double-double. Andrej Stojakovic matched the fight with 19 points and 10 rebounds, carving space on the glass and powering second chances.
The Illini leaned on tempo, pressure, and waves of effort. When Ivisic tied it late from deep, the State Farm Center shook. In most seasons, that is ballgame. Tonight, Nebraska had the last word.
What This Win Means for Nebraska
This is not a cute start. This is a statement. Nebraska, ranked No. 23, just walked into a hostile building against a top 15 team and won a one-possession game at the horn. It was the Huskers’ first true road test. It came in a series long owned by Illinois. It ended with Nebraska’s guards in control, shooters in rhythm, and a veteran frontcourt closing plays.
The polls will notice. So will the rest of the league. More important, the Huskers now have a blueprint for March. Win with spacing. Trust your shooters. Keep defending long enough to land the last punch. It travels.
- Key numbers to know
- 83 to 80, Nebraska over Illinois
- 11 and 0 start, a program best
- 15 straight wins, a school record
- 12 threes made on 26 attempts
Big Ten titles are shaped on the road. Nebraska just banked one of the hardest kinds of wins, a ranked road closer.
The Identity Taking Shape
The Huskers look confident, connected, and cold-blooded in big spots. Sandfort’s shooting stretches the floor. Mast supplies stability at the mid post and on the block. Lawrence gives them a late-clock option with nerve. The bench minutes matter too, because they keep the pace steady and the legs fresh.
The defense still has swings, which is normal in a high-level road game. But Nebraska closed possessions better in the second half, then executed late. That is how you win after momentum flips. That is how you build a season that lasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the final score and how did it end?
A: Nebraska beat Illinois 83 to 80. Jamarques Lawrence hit a three with 0.2 seconds left.
Q: Who starred for Nebraska?
A: Pryce Sandfort scored 32 points with six threes. Rienk Mast added 17, and Nebraska shot 51.6 percent.
Q: Who led Illinois?
A: Kylan Boswell had 20 points. Keaton Wagler posted 19 points and 10 assists. Andrej Stojakovic had 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Q: What does this mean for Nebraska in the Big Ten?
A: It validates their standing as a real contender. A ranked road win proves their style and poise translate anywhere.
Q: How did Nebraska shoot from deep?
A: The Huskers went 12 of 26 from three, a mix of spot-ups and rhythm looks created by strong spacing.
Nebraska did more than steal a win. The Huskers owned the moment, on the road, against a heavyweight. A clean stroke, a perfect release, and a shot that turned a hot start into a real threat. The turnaround is real. The league has been warned. 🏀
