Nebraska capitalized on the Buckeyes’ cold shooting late in Monday night’s game for a 68-62 upset that sent them to their fourth straight loss.
“It’s like there’s this black cloud over us,” point guard Aaron Craft said. “We have to find a way to get it off.”
Ohio State overcame a 14-point first-half deficit and led 46-45 after LaQuinton Ross scored with 5:56 to play. But the Buckeyes missed six of their next seven shots and committed four turnovers the rest of the way.
The Buckeyes (15-4, 2-4 Big Ten) have lost four straight for the first time since 2007-08.
“When something doesn’t go well, we’re not able to answer the call,” Ohio State coach Thad Matta said. “We don’t have the mental toughness to make the next play. We’re clinging on the mistakes. We’ve got to play forward.”
Terran Petteway scored seven points in the final 2:22 and had 13 of his 18 in the second half to help the Cornhuskers end a five-game losing streak and give coach Tim Miles his biggest win in two seasons in Lincoln. Nebraska students rushed the court after the final buzzer.
The Buckeyes beat Nebraska by 31 points on Jan. 4 in Columbus and haven’t won since.
Shavon Shields had 18 points and nine rebounds to break out of a sophomore slump while Deverell Biggs added 11 points for the Huskers.
The Huskers survived after squandering a 14-point first-half lead and won against a ranked opponent for the first time in 16 games. They used a 16-5 run late in the second half to regain control and made 13 of their last 16 free throws to hold off the Buckeyes.
Craft scored 12 points, LaQuinton Ross added 11 and Lenzelle Smith Jr. had 10 for the Buckeyes.
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