Connor Essegian leads Nebraska to victory with career-high scoring
- Connor Essegian scored a career-high 29 points and made six 3-pointers during the game.
- Nebraska dominated North Florida, achieving a standout shooting performance of 40-for-69.
- The victory marks Nebraska's final game before starting their Big 10 Conference play.
In Lincoln, Nebraska, Connor Essegian showcased an impressive performance in a game held on Sunday, helping the Cornhuskers secure a decisive victory against North Florida with a score of 103-72. This match served as Nebraska's final preparation before commencing their Big 10 Conference play. Essegian delivered a standout performance, scoring a career-high 29 points, including an outstanding 6-for-8 shooting from beyond the arc. His contributions were critical in establishing a strong lead early in the game, initiating a significant 20-1 run after North Florida took an early advantage with a 3-pointer. The efficiency of his shooting marked Essegian's second straight game with six three-pointers, demonstrating his growing confidence on the court. Alongside Essegian’s impressive display, other players also made significant contributions. Juwan Gary added 18 points, while Brice Williams contributed 17 points and six assists. Andrew Morgan supported the team off the bench, notching 13 points and nine rebounds, and Ahron Ulis added 10 points. The teamwork and offensive collaboration were evident, as evidenced by Nebraska's overall shooting statistics — they finished the game 40-for-69 from the field, reflecting their best offensive output in consecutive games. Despite the loss, North Florida had commendable performances, especially from Nate Lliteras, who led his team with 17 points and showcased his shooting ability by hitting 4 out of 7 three-pointers. Other notable performances included Jasai Miles, who contributed 14 points and eight rebounds, and Jaylen Smith, who had 12 points and six assists. The matchup saw a mix of scoring from both sides, but Nebraska's defensive efforts and offensive capabilities proved overwhelming. With this victory, Nebraska heads into the Big 10 Conference with momentum and confidence. Their next challenge will be against Michigan State on Saturday, where they will look to build on their recent successes. This game against North Florida not only highlighted individual talents like Essegian but underscored the team's overall cohesion as they aim for a successful conference season.