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No. 9 Illinois won its 11th consecutive game, earning a 78-69 win at No. 5 Nebraska at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Sunday. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
Steven Branscombe via Getty Images
No. 9 Illinois handed No. 5 Nebraska its second consecutive loss of the season with a 78-69 win at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln on Sunday. The Cornhuskers have now lost two games after beginning the season 20-0 (9-0 in the Big Ten).
Nebraska held a 39-33 lead at halftime, led by both Pryce Sandfort and Braden Frager scoring 12 points. But the Illini began the second half with a 16-8 run capped by a Keaton Wagler 3-pointer that put them on top, 49-47.
The Cornhuskers closed the deficit to 51-50 on a Frager 3-pointer, but Illinois answered with two free throws by Wagler and a 3 from the left corner from Jake Davis. David Mirkovic quickly followed with a layup that expanded the Illini's lead to 58-52. That margin eventually grew to 11 points, powered by five points from Wagler and three more by Andrej Stojakovic.
Nebraska closed to within seven points, 76-69, with Rienk Mast scoring five points in the closing minute. But Stojakovic hit two free throws for the final margin.
Wagler led Illinois with 28 points (shooting 10-of-12 on free throws), 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals. Davis followed with 13 points, shooting 3-of-6 on 3-point attempts. Tomislav Ivisic added 12 points and 8 boards for the Illini, who improved their record to 19-3.
At 10-1 in the Big Ten, Illinois is tied with No. 3 Michigan at the top of the conference standings. The Illini have won 11 straight games and 13 of their past 14. Illinois hosts Northwestern (10-12, 2-9 conference) before traveling to East Lansing to face No. 7 Michigan State (19-3, 9-2).
Nebraska dropped to second place at 9-2, tied with the Spartans.
The Cornhuskers lost in frustrating fashion last Tuesday at Michigan, 75-72, missing two 3-point attempts in the closing seconds. Nebraska fans were also frustrated by a foul call on Sam Hoiberg, in which he was whistled for a block but appeared to have position to draw a charge. However, officials apparently felt that Hoiberg had a foot in the restricted area under the basket.
Any lingering resentment over that loss could have been lessened by a win at home on Sunday. Nebraska should get back to the winning side next Saturday with a visit to Rutgers (9-13). However, after that is a matchup with No. 12 Purdue (18-4, 9-3 Big Ten) on Tuesday.
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