Nebraska tops No. 23 Ohio State, Fred Hoiberg's 1st win over ranked foe

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Bryce McGowens scored 26 points, Alonzo Verge Jr. had 13 points and 11 assists, and Nebraska beat No. 23 Ohio State 78-70 on Tuesday night.

The Cornhuskers (9-21, 3-16 Big Ten) bested a ranked opponent for the first time under third-year coach Fred Hoiberg. He came in 0-23 against teams in the AP Top 25, and Nebraska was 0-24 overall since beating a ranked Maryland squad during the 2019 Big Ten Tournament.

C.J. Wilcher added 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting for the Huskers, who overcame a seven-point deficit in the first half and won their second straight game.

"To have some momentum, something to feel good about, I think is very important," Hoiberg said. "Just keep battling, keep grinding, keep going in and practicing and getting better. I like our mentality right now."

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Nebraska center Eduardo Andre, rear, fouls Ohio State guard Jimmy Sotos, left, in front of Nebraska guard Alonzo Verge during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbus, Ohio, Tuesday, March 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

E.J. Liddell had 27 points and 14 rebounds, his seventh double-double of the season, for Ohio State (18-9, 11-7). Malaki Branham scored 16 points.

Ohio State got within four points with 55 seconds remaining, but the Huskers went 5-for-6 at the free-throw line to put away their first win over the Buckeyes since Feb. 18, 2017.

"We have to correct what we can correct," Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann said. "The bottom line is is we’re not connected enough on either end right now. We did not play together enough on either end. We just did not. That’s my fault."

The Huskers shot 49.1% overall