Illinois came close, but it was too late.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Against an unbeaten Nebraska team built on experience, the Illini couldn’t quite complete the comeback in their first Big Ten test at State Farm Center.
No. 13 Illinois dropped its first home game of the season Saturday, falling to No. 23 Nebraska at State Farm Center as the Cornhuskers stay unbeaten at 11–0. Despite a comeback in the closing minutes of the first half, they couldn’t string together enough stops against one of the league’s most experienced teams. First, it was junior forward Pryce Sandfort who gave them trouble, finishing with 26 of Nebraska’s 37 first-half points. In the second half, they attacked the paint and produced an all-around balanced effort, topped off by a contested three-point dagger by senior guard Jamarques Lawrence to silence State Farm Center with 0.2 seconds remaining.
Illinois started the game on the wrong foot, making only one of its first ten threes. On the other hand, junior forward Pryce Sandfort poured in 26 first-half points with 6 three pointers, giving the Huskers a comfortable 20-8 lead early. Illinois didn’t know what to expect from a team that could shoot from everywhere, and today Sandfort and the Huskers took advantage of that and made it rain. Sandfort finished with 32 points on 12-18 shooting.
“That’s on me, that’s in practice,” head coach Brad Underwood said. “That’s me getting more from them.”
Despite strong offensive performances in the second half from junior guard Andrej Stojakovic and freshman guard Keaton Wagler, the Illini came just short of what would’ve been an impressive comeback. After Tomislav Ivisic’s game-tying three-pointer with 17.4 seconds remaining, State Farm Center lost its life after Jamarques Lawrence’s fadeaway triple with 0.2 left on the clock.
Keaton Wagler, who finished with 23 points in last week’s Big Ten opener in Columbus, continues to show maturity levels above his age as a freshman. Good decision making, huge shots, consistency all continue to show up, as he finished with 19 points and 10 assists. Stojakovic racked up 10 boards on top of his 19 points, 13 of which came in the second half.
Illinois drops its first home game of the season at State Farm Center, now 6-1 in Champaign, 2-1 in Big Ten play and 8-3 on the season after facing off against five ranked opponents to begin the 2025-26 campaign.
Looking Ahead
- Braggin’ Rights vs. Missouri — Dec. 22 in St. Louis
- Southern — Dec. 29 at State Farm Center
- Big Ten play resumes Jan. 3 vs. Penn State at The Palestra
Category: General Sports
