Wilcher Rallies Huskers Past No. 6 Wisconsin

Photo Credit: NU Athletic Communications

C.J. Wilcher had a career night, as Nebraska overcame a 19-point deficit to stun No. 6 Wisconsin, 80-72, in overtime Thursday night. 

Wilcher matched his career high with 22 points, including five 3-pointers, on 7-of-10 shooting as the junior guard rallied NU back in the final 20 minutes. Wilcher had 12 of his 16 second-hald points in a 20-3 spurt as Nebraska erased a 47-29 deficit into a one-point game with 10:48 remaining.

Wilcher’s performance brought a crowd of over 15,000 back to life as the Huskers continued to battle back in the final 10 minutes and in overtime. 

On a night where the Huskers led for less than 10 seconds of regulation, Nebraska (16-6, 6-5 Big Ten) finally took control in overtime. NU trailed 68-67 before Mast’s basket gave NU the lead and the senior found Juwan Gary for a 3-point play to make it 72-68 with 3:54 left in overtimes. 

AJ Storr, who finished with a game-high 28 points for Wisconsin made it a one-point game before Brice Williams basket pushed the margin back to three, at 74-71. The Huskers held Wisconsin to 1-of-7 shooting in the extra period and put the game away as a basket by Mast and four Williams free throws provided the final margin. 

Mast added 20 points and eight rebounds, while Williams had 17 points and nine rebounds as Nebraska knocked off its second top-10 team of the season. 

Wisconsin (16-5, 8-2 Big Ten) shot 55 percent in the first half in building a 16-point lead but was just 11-of-35 (.314) in the final 25 minutes. 

Nebraska returns to action this Sunday, Feb. 4 to face No. 14 Illinois in Champaign, Ill. at 5:30 p.m. (CT). The game will be televised on the Big Ten Network and can be heard on the Huskers Radio Network.