Nebraska Struggles to Find Rhythm in First Half Against North Dakota
It wasn’t the kind of first half Nebraska fans expected to see at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Hosting North Dakota just days before the holiday break, the Huskers found themselves in an unexpected grind, trailing 26-24 at halftime in a game that never quite found its offensive rhythm.
From the opening tip, it was clear that North Dakota didn’t make the trip to Lincoln just to roll over. The Fighting Hawks brought energy, physicality, and a defensive edge that disrupted Nebraska’s usual flow.
Anthony Smith set the tone early, attacking the lane with confidence and forcing Nebraska’s defense to stay honest. His drive against Sam Hoiberg was emblematic of North Dakota’s aggressive approach-get downhill, challenge the rim, and make Nebraska work for everything.
Nebraska, meanwhile, looked out of sync for much of the first half. The ball movement that typically creates open looks and rhythm jumpers was inconsistent.
The Huskers struggled to get into their sets cleanly, and when they did, North Dakota’s defense was quick to rotate and contest. There were flashes-moments where the offense clicked-but they were fleeting.
Assistant coach Nate Loenser had his hands full during timeouts, trying to settle the group and spark some cohesion. But even with adjustments, Nebraska couldn’t quite find a consistent answer.
The Huskers did show some fight, though. Rienk Mast brought energy off the bench, celebrating a call that went Nebraska’s way, hoping to inject some life into a team that looked like it needed a jolt.
Berke Büyüktuncel checked out midway through the half, a sign that Nebraska was searching for the right combination to break through. Justin Bolis tried to rally the squad as they emerged from the tunnel, but the Huskers still couldn’t shake the feeling that they were stuck in second gear.
North Dakota, on the other hand, played like a team with nothing to lose. Eli King’s dunk midway through the half was a momentum play that silenced the home crowd and underscored the Hawks’ confidence. George Natsvlishvili added a tough bucket over Mast, while Greyson Uelmen calmly orchestrated the offense, showing poise beyond his years.
Statistically, it wasn’t a pretty half for either side. But for North Dakota, the low-scoring affair played right into their hands.
They slowed the tempo, limited Nebraska’s transition opportunities, and turned the game into a half-court battle. That’s where the Huskers struggled.
As the teams headed into the locker room, Nebraska trailed by two-a manageable deficit, but one that came with warning signs. If the Huskers wanted to avoid a post-holiday upset, they’d need to regroup quickly, find their offensive identity, and match North Dakota’s intensity.
The second half would be a test-not just of execution, but of resilience. Nebraska had the talent advantage, but North Dakota had already proven they weren’t going to back down.
The message at halftime was likely simple: wake up, lock in, and play Husker basketball.