Nebraska hits century mark in easy win over North Florida

Connor Essegian scored 22 points and Nebraska had a second straight big offensive performance in a 103-72 home win over North Florida in a nonconference game on Sunday afternoon in Lincoln, Neb.

Essegian, who was back in the starting lineup after dropping a career-high 29 last time out, was 8 of 10 from the field and 6 of 8 from 3-point range. He fueled a 45.8 percent performance from outside for the Cornhuskers, who shot 58 percent overall.

Nebraska (6-1) reached the century mark for the first time since December 2021 in a four-overtime loss to NC State. The 103 points were the Cornhuskers' most since December 2020 and most against a Division I opponent since 2018.

Essegian was in the starting lineup in place of leading rebounder Berke Buyuktuncel, who sat out with a hip injury. Nebraska still won the rebounding battle 38-37 as Andrew Morgan had nine boards along with 13 points, while Juwan Gary scored 18 and Brice Williams had 17 with six assists. Ahron Ulis added 10 points.

North Florida (5-3) was led by senior guard Nate Lliteras, who had 17 points, with Jasai Miles adding 14. The Ospreys hit 14 3-pointers but attempted 43 and shot 38.5 percent from the field.

The Cornhuskers led 53-32 at halftime thanks to 58.8 percent shooting. They made their first three shots to open the second half, including two Essegian 3-pointers, to bump the edge to 27.

Seven straight points from Lliteras, including a four-point play, got North Florida within 67-52 with 14:15 left. The Ospreys could get no closer, as Nebraska put it away with a 7-0 run to get the margin back above 20 with 11:26 left.

Nebraska hit five of its first seven shots, including all three 3-point attempts, and used a 15-0 run to take an 18-4 lead less than six minutes in.

An 8-2 North Florida run got it within 10 with 8:37 left in the first half but the Cornhuskers responded with a 13-2 run to lead 41-20.

--Field Level Media