The Pinnacle Bank Arena proved once again to be the fortress for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, who pulled off a shocking upset against the No. 15 UCLA Bruins, winning 66-58 on January 4, 2025. This victory not only marked Nebraska's 20th consecutive win at home but also showcased the intensity and resilience the Huskers are bringing to this season.
The atmosphere inside the arena was electric as the crowd played an integral role, echoing the sentiments of head coach Fred Hoiberg who remarked, "I thought the crowd was absolutely phenomenal, certainly the best crowd I think we've had without students in the building." Hoiberg attributed much of the team’s energy and effort to the support of the fans who packed the arena, urging the players to perform at their best levels.
The game itself unfurled like a dramatic chess match pitting Nebraska’s grit against UCLA’s legacy. The Bruins opened the scoring with a 7-0 run but quickly found themselves countered by Nebraska’s own 10-0 response sparked by guard Brice Williams. The game transitioned to its halftime break with both teams knotted at 24, reflecting the tightly contested nature of the match.
UCLA entered the second half hoping to capitalize on their strong start, but it was Nebraska who seized control, thanks to significant contributions from Andrew Morgan off the bench, who was instrumental with timely baskets. Hoiberg praised Morgan, stating, "I give Andrew Morgan a lot of credit, he had a tough go at it in the first half and I thought he was absolutely phenomenal in the second." Morgan's pivotal plays helped the Cornhuskers surge forward, demonstrating their determination to upset their ranked adversaries.
Statistics from the game highlighted how Nebraska's free throw shooting played a significant role; they sank 25 of their 29 attempts, translating to an impressive 86% success rate. Hoiberg emphasized the importance of free throws saying, "It's hard to score on this team in the flow of the game, so to be able to manufacture some (points) at the line is very important." Williams led the charge with 16 points, underlining the necessity of capitalizing on free scoring opportunities.
On the opposite side, UCLA's performance was hampered by injuries, particularly missing key player Eric Dailey Jr. and grappling with shooting inefficiencies. The Bruins struggled from beyond the arc, hitting only 14% of their 3-point attempts (4-of-28) and committing 15 turnovers, which proved fatal against Nebraska's well-oiled defensive machinery. Coach Mick Cronin lamented, "Look, if you shoot the ball as poorly as we did, the only chance you have is to take care of the ball; you can't give them 17 points off your turnovers, you've got no chance, you can't overcome it, so it's just math at the end of the day."
Despite the setbacks, UCLA crept back to within three points with 24 seconds remaining, only to see their hopes dashed as Nebraska hit key free throws down the stretch to secure the victory. The final score encapsulated not only Nebraska's increasing prowess on the court but also served notice to future opponents about the fierce competition within Big Ten basketball.
Reflecting on the hard-fought battle, Sam Hoiberg expressed the tenacity required to achieve success, noting, "It was a rock fight today. We shot 32 percent and we still won by almost double digits. Being able to win when it’s ugly is super important." He reiterated the point on how toughness could serve as Nebraska's defining trait this season.
Now, with this impressive win behind them, the Nebraska Cornhuskers turn their attention to their next challenge against Iowa, slated for January 7, 2025. Coach Hoiberg understands the importance of maintaining momentum, stressing, "We got to get over this one quickly." The next test will be pivotal as they aim to climb the ranks of the Big Ten and maintain their home court advantage.
This historical win over UCLA not only cements Nebraska's standing but showcases the continuous improvement and strategic execution setting the stage for potential ranking as the season progresses. With their eyes firmly set on the prize, the Cornhuskers are ready to defend their turf and battle forward against any adversary who steps onto the court at Pinnacle Bank Arena.