CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Interstat) — Pryce Sandfort scored 32 points to lead No. 11 Nebraska to an 83-80 victory over Illinois on Saturday at State Farm Center. The Cornhuskers remained unbeaten. The game was tied 37-37 at halftime before Nebraska used a 12-of-26 performance from three-point range to secure the road win. Sandfort’s scoring outburst paced a balanced Nebraska attack that saw four players reach double figures. Illinois, which entered as an 8.5-point favorite, was led by Kylan Boswell’s 20 points and Keaton Wagler’s 19 points and 10 assists. The Fighting Illini struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 10 for 29. Nebraska improved to 11-0 overall. Illinois fell to 8-3. A crowd of 15,266 attended the conference opener for both teams.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a blistering offensive display and a final, breathtaking shot, the Nebraska Cornhuskers remained undefeated, edging the Illinois Fighting Illini 83-80 in a Big Ten Conference thriller on Saturday afternoon at a sold-out State Farm Center. The contest, played before 15,266 fans, was a stark contrast to pregame expectations. Illinois entered as a significant favorite, projected by analytics to win with nearly a 70 percent probability and laying 8.5 points. Instead, Nebraska authored a statement victory, improving to 11-0 overall, while Illinois fell to 8-3. The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final 20 seconds. Trailing 80-77 after Illinois’ Tomislav Ivisic drained a clutch 3-pointer with 17 seconds remaining, Nebraska called a full timeout. Out of the break, the Cornhuskers executed perfectly. Sam Hoiberg inbounded to Jamarques Lawrence, who calmly sank a deep 3-pointer from the top of the key with one second on the clock, silencing the crowd and sealing the dramatic road win. That shot was the exclamation point on a afternoon where Nebraska’s offensive efficiency was the story. The Cornhuskers scored 83 points on just 64 possessions, an elite offensive rating of 130.1, and shot a scorching 12 for 26 from 3-point range. Illinois, despite a valiant effort and a higher number of possessions, could not match that shot-making, finishing with an offensive rating of 120.3. The first half was a track meet that ended in a 37-37 deadlock, but it was dominated by the hot hand of Nebraska’s Pryce Sandfort. The guard from Waukee, Iowa, scored 20 of his game-high 32 points before halftime, connecting on six first-half 3-pointers. His early barrage forced Illinois to scramble defensively and set the tone for Nebraska’s perimeter-oriented attack. Illinois countered with balanced production. Kylan Boswell, a hometown product from Champaign, led the Fighting Illini with 20 points. Andrej Stojakovic recorded a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Keaton Wagler of Shawnee, Kansas, orchestrated the offense with a double-double of his own, scoring 19 points and dishing out 10 assists. Nebraska’s supporting cast provided crucial contributions. Rienk Mast scored 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Jamarques Lawrence finished with 14 points and six assists, none bigger than his game-winner. Jared Garcia added an efficient 10 points off the bench. For Illinois, the 7-foot-1 Tomislav Ivisic and his 7-foot-2 brother, Zvonimir Ivisic, combined for 10 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks, providing a formidable interior presence. While the teams were even in several categories, including points in the paint with 34 apiece and points off turnovers with eight each, Nebraska’s advantages in ball security and distribution proved decisive. The Cornhuskers committed only six turnovers and tallied six assists, while Illinois had eight turnovers and were limited to just two assists for the entire game. Nebraska also converted its limited free-throw opportunities, making seven of eight, while Illinois went 14 for 20 from the line. The victory extends Nebraska’s perfect start, adding a marquee road win to a resume that already includes victories over Kansas State and Oklahoma. The Cornhuskers next host North Dakota on Dec. 21. Illinois, which saw a two-game winning streak snapped, must regroup quickly for a neutral-site clash with Missouri in St. Louis on Dec. 22. The total score of 163 points surpassed the pregame over/under line of 154.5.

Preview: Nebraska Looks to Extend Perfect Start at Illinois CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Interstat) — The unbeaten and top-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers face their toughest Big Ten road test to date Saturday against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center. Nebraska (10-0, 2-0 Big Ten), one of the nation’s last remaining undefeated teams, brings a potent offense averaging 82.2 points per game. The Cornhuskers are coming off a dominant 90-60 home win over Wisconsin on Wednesday, where Berke Buyuktuncel scored 14 points in 19 minutes off the bench. The forward is averaging 9.7 points and has provided consistent scoring punch in a reserve role. Illinois (8-2, 2-0) has won four straight, including impressive road victories at then-Tennessee and Ohio State. Guard Keaton Wagler is averaging 18.3 points over his last three games, erupting for 23 points and five assists in the win over the Buckeyes. The Fighting Illini are 6-0 at home this season, winning by an average margin of 31.8 points in Champaign. “This is exactly why you come to the Big Ten,“ Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg said. “A ranked opponent in a hostile environment. It’s a great measuring stick for our group.“ The matchup features a contrast in styles. Nebraska’s high-scoring attack will challenge an Illinois defense that has held opponents to 40.2% shooting from the field. Illinois coach Brad Underwood emphasized the need to control tempo. “They’re elite in transition and have multiple guys who can create their own shot,“ Underwood said. “We have to be disciplined defensively for 40 minutes.“ History favors the home team. Illinois has won 10 of the last 11 meetings in Champaign, with Nebraska’s lone win at State Farm Center coming in 2021. After this contest, Nebraska hosts North Dakota on Dec. 21. Illinois travels to face Missouri in St. Louis on Dec. 22. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST Saturday, with television coverage on ESPN2.