The Nebraska Cornhuskers made history on Saturday, but not the type most will want to remember.
A 74-55 loss to the Oklahoma State Cowboys gave Nebraska a 2-14 record for the conference season, the program’s worst finish since the start of Big 12 play in 1999.
Nebraska coach Doc Sadler said his team lost confidence with an early drought.
A Ray Gallegos layup made it a one-point game at 12-11 early in the first half, before the Cowboys exploded on an 18-0 run that was partially fueled by four 3-pointers.
“We got stuck on 11,” Sadler said. “We are a volatile basketball team right now. When things don’t go well and the other team makes a little bit of a run early we probably lose a little confidence or hope.”
The Cowboys were brimming with confidence, as OSU made 10 shots from behind the arc.
OSU guard James Anderson thrilled the crowd at Gallagher-Iba Arena scoring a game-high 25 points. He was also very active on the defensive end and finished with three steals for his effort.
It wasn’t just the Cowboys’ sharp shooting that buried the Huskers: The Huskers also failed to protect the basketball. In the first half Nebraska finished with 14 turnovers.
Offensively Nebraska shot just 40 percent, including 3-for-13 on 3-pointers.
The Huskers were playing without the services of senior forward and leading scorer Ryan Anderson. The Seattle native averaging 11 points a game suffered a sprained ankle late in the Colorado game. It was the second game Anderson has missed this season.
Sophomore guard Brandon Richardson helped pick up the offense in Anderson’s absence. Richardson finished with a team-high 16 points on five field goals. The guard also forced his way into the lane, drawing fouls, and knocked down 5-of-6 free throws.
Helping the team’s effort was forward Christian Standhardinger. The freshman started in place of Anderson and scored 14 points, shooting 50 percent from the field. Standhardinger was also active on the glass pulling in a team-high six rebounds.
Among the disappointments for the team was the play of Jorge Brian Diaz. The freshman center finished the day a woeful 1-for-7 from the floor for two points. His contributions elsewhere on the court weren’t much better as he managed to bring in only two rebounds and had three turnovers.
Sadler said he doesn’t think his team gave up during Saturday’s game.
“I thought our guys tried to play hard. We are 2-14, and they are frustrated. They don’t have a lot of confidence.”
Nebraska will enter the Big 12 tournament as the 12 seed when it takes on Missouri on Wednesday afternoon.
Even with only one guaranteed game left, Sadler said his team still has a chance to turn the season around.
“We just got to try and do everything we can between now and Wednesday to sell them on the fact that it is one last game and you’ve got a chance,” Sadler said.
michaelschaefer@dailynebraskan.com
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