Nebraska could not capitalize off of a great performance last week against No. 1 Purdue as they fell flat to Kansas State in Kansas City Saturday.
Nebraska’s offense got off to a slow start. Through the first six minutes of the first half, NU scored only four points and trailed by eight. The Huskers went on a quick 9-2 run, led by great play off the bench from Wilhelm Breidenbach. Kansas State led 14-13 with 10:35 to go in the first half.
K-State and Nebraska traded baskets until the Wildcats, with a 25-21 lead, went on a 14-4 run in the last six minutes of the half. Kansas State stifled Nebraska during the run, as all Husker points came from the free throw line.
Keyontae Johnson led the Wildcat’s burst with six points and three steals. Kansas State took advantage of six Big Red turnovers and torched the Huskers in transition.
K-State went into the locker rooms leading 39-26.
Nebraska did not shoot well in the first half. The Huskers shot 30 percent from the field and went 1-of-8 from 3. Breidenbach gave NU big minutes off the bench leading Nebraska with nine points.
Nebraska could not stop Kansas State’s fluid ball movement. The Wildcats assisted on 13 of their 15 made field goals, taking advantage of Nebraska’s aggressive defense and finding easy buckets everywhere on the floor.
Nebraska came out more competitive in the second half. They played the defense we have become accustomed to seeing but could not get it going on offense for almost the entire second half.
The game seemed all but won for Kansas State as they led most of the half by double-digits. But much like their last game against Purdue, the Huskers made it interesting down the stretch. The Big Red put together an 11-2 run, cutting the deficit to nine with 3:43 left in the game.
Coming out of the final Media timeout, Kansas State’s Nae’Qwan Tomlin hit a massive three making it 62-52, K-State, slowing down the Husker’s momentum.
The Big Red eventually made it a seven point game with 1:20 left to go but would be forced to foul. NU got opportunities to cut the lead even further as Kansas State missed three free throws but did not capitalize.
Kansas State put the icing on the cake with a couple of free throws to end the game and walked away with a 71-56 victory.
Johnson finished with a double-double for the wildcats leading all scorers with 23 and grabbing 10 rebounds.
Breidenbach was a bright spot for the Huskers totaling 13 points and five rebounds.
The Huskers finished the game 32 percent from the field and 4-of-20 from deep.
The Huskers return home Tuesday to face Queens University of Charlotte at the Battle of the Vault.