Nebraska stays perfect with a commanding 84-72 win over New Mexico at the Hall of Fame Classic. The Cornhuskers now hold the nation’s longest active win streak at nine games. Jamarques Lawrence dropped a career-high 21 points at the T-Mobile Center on November 20, 2025. Nebraska advances to face Kansas State in Friday’s championship showdown.
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🔥 Quick Facts:
- Nebraska improves to 5-0, extending the nation’s longest win streak to 9 games
- Jamarques Lawrence scored a career-high 21 points on 6-of-9 shooting
- Braden Frager added 20 points off the bench with four three-pointers
- New Mexico’s leading scorer Deyton Albury was ejected for a flagrant foul
- Championship game Friday, Nov. 21 at 8:30 p.m. against Kansas State
Nebraska Dominates Opening Half in Kansas City
Nebraska jumped out fast. The Cornhuskers opened with an 11-2 run in the first three minutes. Connor Essegian hit back-to-back threes to push the lead to 22-5.
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The Huskers stretched their advantage to 20 points before the under-8 timeout. New Mexico tried to mount a comeback with a 12-3 run. But the Lobos went scoreless for the final 4:35 of the half.
The turning point came with 1:38 left in the first half. New Mexico guard Deyton Albury punched Essegian after a loose ball. Officials reviewed the play and ejected Albury with a flagrant two foul.
“That was a huge factor, the crowd, they willed us to victory.”
Nebraska took a 43-25 lead into the locker room. The Huskers shot 47% from the field in the opening frame. Frager led all scorers at halftime with 12 points.
Second-Half Surge Tests Nebraska’s Resolve
New Mexico came out firing after the break. The Lobos went on a 19-5 run in the first 4.5 minutes. They cut the deficit to just 10 points early in the period.
But Lawrence took over. The senior guard scored all 14 of his second-half points during a crucial stretch. Pryce Sandfort extended the lead back to 13 with a three-pointer midway through.
Rienk Mast added 17 points to seal the victory. The Cornhuskers hit 13 three-pointers total while shooting 37% from beyond the arc. Nebraska also dominated the paint with 28 points.
Jake Hall led New Mexico with 20 points, including six three-pointers. Antonio Chol scored 12 and Tomislav Buljan added 11. The Lobos fall to 3-2 on the season.
Game Statistics: Cornhuskers Control Every Phase
Nebraska dominated the statistical battle on both ends. The Huskers outshot the Lobos from the field and from deep. Fred Hoiberg’s squad also grabbed more rebounds and controlled the tempo.
| Statistic | Nebraska | New Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goal % | 47% | 39% |
| Three-Point % | 37% | 30% |
| Total Rebounds | 38 | 36 |
| Turnovers | 18 | 16 |
| Points in Paint | 28 | Not available |
Lawrence shot 6-of-9 from the field and 4-of-7 from three. Frager was even more efficient at 6-of-8 and 4-of-6 from distance. The Huskers did struggle with turnovers, committing a season-high 18.
The Lobos shot 13-of-44 from three-point range. Buljan grabbed seven rebounds to lead his team. New Mexico plays in Friday’s consolation game at 6:00 p.m.
What’s Next for Both Teams
Here’s what to watch for heading into Friday:
- Nebraska faces Kansas State in the championship at 8:30 p.m. on Peacock
- The Wildcats crushed Mississippi State 98-77 behind PJ Haggerty’s 37 points
- Haggerty is the nation’s leading scorer at 26.0 points per game
- Both teams enter 5-0 with undefeated records on the line
- New Mexico plays Mississippi State in the consolation at 6:00 p.m.
Nebraska’s nine-game win streak dates back to last season. The Cornhuskers won the College Basketball Crown to close 2024-25 with four straight wins. They’ve been unstoppable in neutral-site games since the Diamond Head Classic last December.
Can Nebraska Keep Rolling Against Kansas State?
The championship game sets up a fascinating clash. Kansas State enters with momentum after dominating Mississippi State. Haggerty has exceeded 20 points in five straight games to start the season.
But Nebraska has the nation’s longest win streak. The Huskers are averaging 84.8 points per game during their nine-game run. Fred Hoiberg’s squad is shooting lights out from three-point range.
Kansas State and Nebraska have conference history as former Big 12 rivals. The Wildcats went to the Elite Eight in 2022-23 under coach Jerome Tang. Both programs are looking for their first Hall of Fame Classic championship.
Will the Cornhuskers extend their streak to 10 games and claim the trophy?
Sources
- ESPN – Box score and game statistics
- Sports Illustrated – Game recap and analysis
- NBC Sports – Player performance details
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.