HONOLULU, HI — The Nebraska Cornhuskers etched their name in history Tuesday night as they triumphed over the Oregon State Beavers 78-66, claiming the Diamond Head Classic championship. This victory marks Nebraska's first tournament title since the 2000 San Juan Shootout, demonstrating the resurgence of the program under head coach Fred Hoiberg.
Brice Williams was the star of the show, finishing with 25 points, including 11 of those coming during the final six minutes of the game. His strong performance, particularly during crunch time, helped the Cornhuskers close out the game with six consecutive points, sealing their victory against the Beavers.
"You just don't get a lot of chances in life to play for a championship, and this is a big tournament for us," Hoiberg noted after the win. He praised his team's persistence and energy, especially during the last five minutes. "Just really proud of the guys for finding a way to muster up the energy and play our best stretch of basketball, those last five minutes," he added.
From the start, Nebraska showed tenacity on both ends of the court. Juwan Gary and Williams kicked off the game’s scoring, combining for the first 13 points for the Huskers. It wasn’t until over 10 minutes had passed when Rollie Worster recorded the first points from someone not named Williams or Gary.
The second half was particularly tense. Oregon State fought hard, managing to tie the game at 51 with just over ten minutes left. This is when Nebraska seized control, launching on a 10-2 run, effectively putting the Beavers on the defensive as they struggled to find their rhythm. Nebraska's defense, characterized by aggressive tactics, frustrated Oregon State’s offense, which shot only 39.6% from the field.
Berke Buyuktuncel also made significant contributions, finishing the game with 16 points, three of which came from beyond the arc. His back-to-back three-pointers ignited the Nebraska bench and provided surge to their offense at pivotal moments. He banked another three-pointer late to extend Nebraska's lead to 72-63, providing some much-needed breathing room.
Oregon State, who entered the game with their momentum, had Nate Kingz leading their scoring with 19 points and Damarco Minor contributing 16. While they splashed five of their first seven attempts from beyond the arc, their momentum evaporated as they failed to make field goals for over five minutes during Nebraska’s decisive run.
The win is particularly significant for Hoiberg, who now becomes the first coach to win multiple Diamond Head Classic titles, having previously claimed victory with Iowa State back in 2013. Nebraska’s victory is not just about the trophy, but also about the statement it makes going forward as the team prepares for the remainder of the season.
With the tournament title secured, Nebraska (10-2) will head back home to face Southern on Monday, aiming to build upon this momentum. Meanwhile, Oregon State (10-3) prepares for their own showdown against Portland.
This championship win not only showcases Nebraska's talent and potential but also exemplifies the teams' hard work and dedication on their way to reclaiming their place as contenders.
