Jackson-Davis helps lead Indiana past Nebraska 89-64

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana freshman Trayce Jackson-Davis had a double double of 11 points and career-high 17 rebounds to help lead the Hoosiers to a 89-64 romp over Nebraska in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament.

Armaan Franklin led the Hoosiers with 13 points, Justin Smith and Devonte Green each scored 12 and Al Durham added 11.

The 11th-seeded Hoosiers (20-12) will now play sixth-seeded Penn State (21-10) Thursday night. Indiana split its two meetings with the Nittany Lions.

Kevin Cross was high for No. 14 seed Nebraska (7-25) with 23 points. Haanif Cheatham chipped in with 17 points and Jervay Green 15 points. Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg left the game early after feeling ill and reports say he was taken to a hospital to get checked.

The Big Ten is closing the rest of the tournament to fans over fears of exposure to the coronavirus.

Indiana shot 53% while Nebraska shot 30%

The Hoosiers closed the first half with a 16-1 run to take a 43-34 lead into halftime. IU had scored 11 unanswered points to move in front 38-33 with 48 1:03 left.

Indiana scored the first four points of the second half to continue the run and expanded the lead to 58-38 with 15:48 to go.

The Cornhuskers weren’t quite finished, using an 11-0 run to slice IU’s lead to 68-58 with 8:22 remaining.

Nebraska never got closer than nine points (70-61) and IU finished the game with a 17-2 spurt.

Indiana shot 56% in the opening half while holding Nebraska to 31%. The Cornhuskers had an edge at the free throw line, making 8 of 10 while the Hoosiers were 3 of 7.

BIG PICTURE

Nebraska struggled in Hoiberg’s first year as coach. The former Iowa State and Chicago Bulls coach is trying to instill discipline in the program.

Indiana strengthened its case for NCAA Tournament bid by winning its 20th game.The Hoosiers seldom have success in the Big Ten Tournament, only reaching the championship game once, losing to Iowa in 2001.

SHORT-HANDED HUSKERS

The Cornhuskers played without Dachon Burke Jr. and Cam Mack, who were suspended indefinitely by Hoiberg last week. Burke averaged 12.2 points and Mack 11.9 points.

Nebraska was left with seven scholarship players entering the game so they added football players Noah Vedral, a quarterback, and Brant Banks, a 6-foot-7 offensive tackle, to the roster.

Banks and Vedral both played the final 2-plus minutes. Banks missed two free throws and one shot. Vedral missed two shots.

UP NEXT

Nebraska ends its season with a 7-25 record

Indiana will play No. 6 seed Penn State tonight.