Nebraska Cornhuskers Upset No. 14 Creighton Bluejays 74-63 in Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska – The Nebraska Cornhuskers delivered a stunning performance against the No. 14 Creighton Bluejays, securing a 74-63 victory at CHI Health Center Omaha on Friday evening. Juwan Gary led the Cornhuskers with 16 points and seven rebounds, contributing to an impressive defensive effort that rendered Creighton’s star center, Ryan Kalkbrenner, ineffective throughout the game.
Kalkbrenner, a 7-foot-1 senior and one of college basketball’s top talents, struggled to find his rhythm and was held to 0-for-1 shooting in 39 minutes, marking the first time since February 2022 that he failed to make a field goal. He finished with only four points and 11 rebounds.
Nebraska capitalized on this strong defensive strategy, forcing Creighton to rely heavily on three-point shooting. The Bluejays attempted 42 of their 52 shots from beyond the arc, with Pop Isaacs leading the team with 25 points. Steven Ashworth, who added 16 points, suffered an injury late in the game, further hampering Creighton’s chances.
The Cornhuskers took control early, jumping to a 31-13 lead fueled by an 11-0 run while the Bluejays endured a rough stretch, missing six consecutive shots. Nebraska maintained their advantage into halftime with a score of 35-24.
Despite a brief surge from Creighton early in the second half, highlighted by a dunk from Jamiya Neal, Nebraska quickly responded. Connor Essegian’s stellar shooting reestablished their double-digit lead as the game progressed. Nebraska outshot Creighton 42.1 percent to 32.7 percent from the field and committed 10 fewer turnovers, showcasing their efficiency and resilience.
This victory improves Nebraska’s record to 4-1, while Creighton falls to the same mark.
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