The Nebraska men’s basketball team looks for its fourth straight win on Friday night, as the Huskers return home to face South Carolina State in the final non-conference matchup of the season.
Nebraska (10-2) comes off a nine-day break following an 83-75 win over North Dakota on Dec. 20. Nebraska rallied from a 14-point second-half deficit by scoring 51 points and shooting 58 percent from the floor in the final 20 minutes. C.J. Wilcher led six Huskers in double figures with a season-high 16-point effort, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range, while Juwan Gary posted his second straight double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Wilcher has given the Huskers scoring punch off the bench in recent weeks, averaging 9.0 ppg on 48 percent shooting over the last four games. He is also shooting 50 percent from 3-point range in that span. His 16-point outburst was not only a season best, but also the fourth time this season that a Husker reserve led the team in scoring.
A win over South Carolina State on Friday will cap one of the most successful non-conference slates in school history. NU has finished non-conference play with one loss only four times (10-1, 2018-19; 10-1, 2003-04; 12-1, 1991-92; 11-1, 1977-78) since World War II.
South Carolina State (4-10) begins a two-game road trip on Friday and comes off a 101-84 win over Brewton-Parker on Dec. 22. The Bulldogs, who are playing their 10th road game of the season, are led by Davion Everett, who averages 10.4 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.
Tipoff between the Huskers and Bulldogs is set for 6:30 p.m. and tickets are available for the matchup by visiting Huskers.com/Tickets, calling 800-8-BIGRED during business hours (Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) or at PBA beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday. The game will be carried on the Huskers Radio Network and streamed on B1G+ with Jessica Coody and Erick Strickland on the call. Locally, the game can be heard on 95.3 FM KBBN.
