No. 5 Nebraska takes first loss of the season at No. 3 Michigan
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The No. 5-ranked Nebraska men’s basketball team took its first loss of the season Tuesday night, losing to No. 3 Michigan 75-72 at the Crisler Center.
The Huskers held the lead for almost the entirety of the game, but the Wolverines took the lead late and never gave it back.
It was evident toward the end of the game that the Huskers were missing Rienk Mast, who was out with an illness, and Braden Frager.
Sam Hoiberg and Pryce Sandfort each played 39 minutes for the Big Red, while Berke Buyutuncel played 36 minutes and Jamarques Lawrence played 35.
As a team, the Huskers shot 46% from the floor and 34% from deep, while Michigan shot 47% from the floor and 23% from beyond the arc.
Lawrence and Sandfort led the Huskers with 20 points apiece, while Hoiberg racked up 13 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Hoiberg also led the team in assists with five.
The loss ends Nebraska’s nation-leading 24-game winning streak, the longest in school history.
NU will look to bounce back against another top 10 opponent in No. 9 Illinois on Sunday.
Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. at Pinnacle Bank Arena. You can watch the game on FS1.
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SECOND HALF
The second half is underway in Ann Arbor.
At the first media timeout of the half, Nebraska still holds the lead, 54-50.
Halfway through the second half, Nebraska leads the Wolverines 63-56.
Sandfort leads the Huskers with 19 points on 6-of-13 shooting, while Lawrence has 18 points.
With 7:37 remaining in the game, Nebraska leads 66-59.
At the under four media timeout, Nebraska holds a 3-point lead, 70-67.
FIRST HALF
At the first media timeout, Nebraska leads the Wolverines 8-5.
Berke Buyutuncel and Jamarques Lawrence each have a 3-pointer, while Cale Jacobsen got a wide-open layup in the paint to start the game.
It’s been a back-and-forth first half at the Crisler Center, with Nebraska leading 31-25 at the second media timeout.
Lawrence is on a heater, connecting on seven of his 10 shots for 16 points. Pryce Sandfort has 6 points on two 3-pointers.
A little more than halfway through the first half, Nebraska leads Michigan 36-27.
Sam Hoiberg has gotten into the mix with a 3-pointer of his own, totaling 5 points.
Both teams are shooting 58% from the floor, while Nebraska is shooting 53% from deep.
At the end of the first half, Nebraska leads Michigan 50-48.
Lawrence leads the Huskers with 16 points, while Sandfort has 14.
Nebaska is shooting 59% from the floor, while the Wolverines are shooting 66%. The Huskers are also shooting 53% from deep.
Morez Johnson Jr. leads the Wolverines with 13 points on 100% shooting.
Nebraska vs. Michigan is underway.
Top-5 matchup underway in Ann Arbor.
LET’S ROCK. pic.twitter.com/hx4osyoEhS
— Nebraska Men’s Basketball (@HuskerMBB) January 28, 2026
PREGAME
Star redshirt freshman Braden Frager didn’t make the trip to Ann Arbor and has been ruled OUT for tonight’s game.
Rienk Mast also made an appearance on the injury report and is listed as QUESTIONABLE due to an illness, according to reports.
Mast is not in the starting lineup tonight.
Starters vs. Michigan. ✊ pic.twitter.com/8YW29ZKFVC
— Nebraska Men’s Basketball (@HuskerMBB) January 27, 2026
