If you were watching the No. 24 Nebraska women’s basketball team today, you probably need a minute to catch your breath. Honestly, it was one of those games that reminds you why Big Ten basketball is both the best and worst thing for your heart rate.
Michigan State beat Nebraska 73-71 in a game that literally came down to the final second. It wasn't just a loss; it was a "stare at the TV in silence" kind of finish. The Huskers had the lead with under a minute to go, but the Spartans closed it out on a 4-0 run to defend their home court at the Breslin Center.
What Happened in the Final Minute?
Everything felt like it was going Nebraska's way when Britt Prince hit a clutch bucket to put the Huskers up 71-69 with only 48 seconds left on the clock. You could feel the momentum shifting. But in East Lansing, momentum is a fickle thing.
Michigan State’s Rashunda Jones was basically the hero of the night for the Spartans. She got to the free-throw line just nine seconds after Prince's basket and knocked down both to tie it. Then, the nightmare scenario for Nebraska fans unfolded: a turnover.
Nebraska lost the ball out of bounds on the ensuing possession. Even then, they had a chance. They forced a miss on Michigan State's potential game-winner, but the Spartans grabbed a massive offensive rebound and drew a foul. Two more free throws later, Nebraska was down by two with five seconds left.
The final play was a lob to the basket with 1.4 seconds remaining. It never reached a Husker. Jones leaped up, tipped the pass, and that was it. Game over.
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Breaking Down the Box Score
It’s easy to focus on the final 60 seconds, but this was a heavyweight fight for all 40 minutes. Nebraska fell to 14-4 overall (3-4 in the Big Ten), while Michigan State improved to a blistering 17-1.
- Nebraska's Top Performers: Britt Prince was again the engine for the Big Red, but the offensive execution stalled just when they needed it most.
- Michigan State's Leaders: Grace VanSlooten led all scorers with 22 points, while Jones added 15, including those ice-cold free throws at the end.
- The Turnover Bug: Nebraska ended up losing the turnover battle at the worst possible moments, which ultimately washed away a solid shooting performance.
The Bigger Picture for Nebraska Basketball
This loss hurts because Nebraska is now 0-4 against AP-ranked opponents this season. They can clearly play with the best—they led this game late—but they haven't quite figured out how to slam the door on top-tier competition.
On the men's side, things look much brighter. Fred Hoiberg’s squad is currently sitting at 17-0 and ranked No. 8 in the country. They didn't play today, but they are coming off a dominant 90-55 win over Oregon where Pryce Sandfort went absolutely nuclear with 28 points.
The men head to Northwestern tomorrow, and the stakes are high. Being undefeated this late in January is uncharted territory for Nebraska, and the target on their back is getting huge.
What’s Next for the Huskers?
If you're a Husker fan, you don't have long to pout about the women's loss. The schedule stays relentless.
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- Men’s Basketball: Travels to Evanston to take on Northwestern tomorrow, Saturday, January 17, at 3:00 PM CST. You can catch that one on the Big Ten Network.
- Women’s Basketball: They’ll need to regroup fast before heading into another tough conference stretch. Finding a way to win these "coin-flip" games is the difference between a middle-of-the-pack finish and a deep tournament run.
- Watch the Standings: The Big Ten is a gauntlet this year. Every road loss feels like a missed opportunity, especially when you have a lead in the final minute.
Keep an eye on the injury reports for the men’s game tomorrow. Playing at Welsh-Ryan Arena is always tricky, regardless of what the records say. Nebraska is favored, but as we saw today in East Lansing, "favored" doesn't mean much when the clock starts winding down.
Check the local listings for the Big Ten Network to make sure you don't miss the tip-off tomorrow afternoon. The Huskers are chasing history, and every game from here on out is a massive event in Lincoln.