Full Breakdown
Nebraska Cornhuskers Defeat New Mexico Lobos in Hall of Fame Classic Opener
11/22/2025, 2:47:17 AM
Strong Start Propels Nebraska to Victory
The Nebraska Cornhuskers men's basketball team secured an 84-72 victory over the New Mexico Lobos in the opening round of the Hall of Fame Classic held at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City on November 20, 2025. This win marks Nebraska's ninth consecutive victory, extending their unbeaten record to 5-0 for the season. The Cornhuskers established an early lead, jumping ahead 11-2 within the first three minutes, and later extending their advantage to 22-5. They maintained a 43-25 lead at halftime, aided by a strong shooting performance, particularly from beyond the arc.
Key Performers and Statistics
Jamarques Lawrence led Nebraska with a career-high 21 points, shooting 6-of-9 from the field, including four three-pointers. Braden Frager contributed significantly off the bench with 20 points, while Rienk Mast added 17 points. Nebraska shot 47.4% overall and made 13-of-35 three-point attempts. Conversely, New Mexico struggled with a shooting percentage of 39%, including 30% from three-point range. The Lobos were led by Jake Hall, who scored 20 points, while Deyton Albury, their leading scorer, was ejected in the first half after a flagrant foul against Nebraska's Connor Essegian.
Second Half Surge by New Mexico
Despite a strong first half from Nebraska, New Mexico mounted a comeback in the second half, narrowing the gap to just four points at 51-47 with 12:31 remaining. The Lobos capitalized on Nebraska's cold shooting start to the half, going on a 22-8 run. However, Nebraska responded effectively, regaining control with a series of key plays, including a three-pointer from Lawrence that halted New Mexico's momentum.
Official Statements & Responses
Nebraska's assistant coach Nate Loenser acknowledged the emotional toll of their previous game against Oklahoma, stating, “The Oklahoma (game) was very emotional. Lot of juice, lot of energy, both teams playing at a high level.” He emphasized the need for the team to maintain focus and composure in subsequent games. New Mexico's head coach Eric Olen noted the team's slow start and praised their effort in the second half, saying, “I appreciated the way our guys responded at the half to make a run and make it a game in the second half. It just wasn’t enough to complete the comeback.”
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the victory, Nebraska's performance was marred by a high turnover rate, committing 18 turnovers compared to New Mexico's 16. Critics pointed out that this could be a significant issue as they face tougher opponents in the future. Loenser remarked on the need for improvement, stating, “We’ve got to use our length better and get more deflections.”
What's Next
With this victory, Nebraska advances to the championship game of the Hall of Fame Classic, where they will face Kansas State, who defeated Mississippi State 98-77 in the other semifinal. The championship game is scheduled for November 21, 2025, at 8:30 p.m. CST, and will be available for streaming on Peacock.
Verbatim Quotes
- “They got off to a really good start offensively and we dug ourselves a hole. I appreciated the way our guys responded at the half to make a run and make it a game in the second half. It just wasn’t enough to complete the comeback.” — Eric Olen, Head Coach, New Mexico
- “Overall, we've got a pretty semi-veteran group and we challenged them pretty good this week,” — Nate Loenser, Assistant Coach, Nebraska
- “The Oklahoma (game) was very emotional. Lot of juice, lot of energy, both teams playing at a high level,” — Nate Loenser, Assistant Coach, Nebraska
- “I appreciated the way our guys responded at the half to make a run and make it a game in the second half.” — Eric Olen, Head Coach, New Mexico
