MSU opened the game scoring five points in the first 50 seconds of the game, causing Nebraska head coach Tim Miles to call an early timeout to get his players going.

Nebraska responded and went to the first media timeout with MSU's lead down to 14-13. After the timeout, Nebraska went on a 8-0 run of its own, fueled by Shields who scored five of his nine first half points during the run.

MSU responded with an 8-0 run of its own to take a brief 22-21 lead before Nebraska took the lead back. During the run, MSU attacked the hoop, with all eight of the points coming in the paint, including a thunderous dunk by senior forward Matt Costello. Costello caught the ball at the three-point line and drove to the hoop for the dunk. Costello ended the game with eight points and 10 rebounds.

Senior guard Bryn Forbes shooting struggles continued in the first half, starting the game 0-for-4 from the field until he got a 3-pointer to go with just over two minutes to play in the half. His only points of the half gave MSU a 33-29 lead.

MSU started the first half going inside to its big men, and it payed off as Costello and freshman Deyonta Davis scored MSU's first six points of the half and helped MSU gain a 42-41 lead, despite six quick points for Shields.

Going inside early helped to open up perimeter shots for MSU as they used back-to-back three pointers by Valentine to take a 56-51 lead with just under 12 minutes to play in the game.

The lead didn't last long as Nebraska freshman Jack McVeigh scored six points during a 13-0 Nebraska run to take a 64-56 lead.

With MSU trailing 64-56, Costello went down with what appeared to be a left knee injury with 8:08 to play after missing two consecutive shots during MSU's possession.

After Costello went down, MSU went on a 6-2 run to cut the deficit to just 66-62, giving MSU sophomore Javon Bess a chance to cut the lead to two with 3:41 to play. Bess, however, missed two foul shots and Nebraska was able to score to extend its lead to 68-62.

WIth 2:05 remaining, Nebraska Tai Webster had a chance to extend the Nebraska lead to eight, but he too missed two free throws. Trailing 68-62 MSU made three of four free throws over the next 40 seconds to cut the lead to three.

Bess fouled out with 1:03 remaining, sending Nebraska back to the free throw line where freshman Michael Jacobson would make two free throws to extend the lead to 70-65 Nebraska.

MSU junior guard Eron Harris answered with a three after a MSU timeout to cut the lead to 70-68 with 45.8 to play. Shields extended the lead to 72-68 before Valentine would make a desperation three to cut the lead back to 72-71 with 5.2 to play.

Nebraska's Webster was fouled on the ensuing possession where he missed the front end of the one and one. Valentine grabbed the rebound and raced down the court, but his last second shot didn't go.

Fouls had been a big point of emphasis for Izzo this week after committing 28 fouls in the game against Wisconsin last Sunday, and MSU cleaned it up, committing just 15 fouls in the game, leading to only 14 Nebraska free throws. Nebraska shot 10-of-14 from the free throw line, while MSU struggled from the line, shooting just 12-of-21.

MSU shot 42.1 percent in the game, including 61.1 percent from three point line on 11-of-18, compared to Nebraska's 15 percent shooting and 28.6 percent from the three point line.

MSU also assisted on 19 of its 24 field goals and out rebounded Nebraska 38-32 while only committing 10 turnovers.