Huskers Race Past Wolves in Season Opener
Huskers.com
Lincoln - Braden Frager scored 22 points in his debut while Jamarques Lawrence had 10 of his 18 points in a decisive 16-0 run as Nebraska opened the season with an 86-53 win over West Georgia Monday evening.

Frager was efficient offensively, hitting 8-of-11 shots from the field and had five rebounds to pace four Huskers in double figures, as his 22-point effort was the third-highest scoring debut by a Husker in school history.

Lawrence tallied 18 points, including five 3-pointers to match a career high, and dished out six assists while Connor Essegian (12 points) and Rienk Mast (10) finished in double figures.

Nebraska trailed 25-24 with less than three minutes remaining in the first half before Frager’s jumper ignited a 16-0 run. Lawrence scored the final four points of the half to push the lead to 30-25 before the Huskers opened the second half with 10 straight points, capped by consecutive 3-pointers from the senior to push the lead to 40-25.

Nebraska held West Georgia without a field goal for nearly 10 minutes as Nebraska out-scored the Wolves 26-2 to build a 50-27 lead on a Frager slam with 13:13 left. From there, NU led by as many as 38 points and cruised to the win.

Nebraska held West Geogia to 29.2 percent shooting and enjoyed a 49-37 lead on the glass after a slow start on the glass.

Shelton Williams-Dryden led UWG with 14 points, while Chas Lawless added 11 in a losing effort.

The Big Red will be back in action on Saturday, Nov. 8, at Pinnacle Bank Arena with tip-off set for noon (CT). Tickets are available by visiting Huskers.com/Tickets. The game will be carried on B1G+ and the Huskers Radio Network.

Postgame Notes

- Nebraska improves its record in season openers to 89-41 and have won 23 of the past 25 season openers

- Braden Frager made his Husker debut finishing with 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting and five rebounds in 22 minutes off the bench. His 22-point effort was the third-highest scoring debut by a Husker freshman and the most by a Husker freshman in his debut since Bryce McGowens had 25 against Western Illinois in 2021

- Frager's 22 points marked the 12th time under Fred Hoiberg that a player had at least 20 points off the bench

- Rienk Mast posted his 27th career double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds in his first regular-season game since the 2024 NCAA Tournament

- Jamarques Lawrence tied a career high with five 3-pointers. It marked the fourth time in his career that he had at least five 3-pointers. Lawrence also had six of the Huskers' 20 assists

- Sam Hoiberg tied his career high with seven rebounds. Hoiberg recorded seven rebounds two other times, most recently against Arizona State in last season's College Basketball Crown Tournament

- Nebraska went on three double-figure runs, including a 16-0 run spanning the end of the first half and the start of the second half.

- Nebraska won has won five straight games dating back to last season

- Tonight's win was the 200th Division I victory for Nebraska Head Coach Fred Hoiberg

SCORING

WEST GEORGIA
Shelton Williams-Dryden - 14
Chas Lewless - 11
Kenneth Chime - 7
Kolten Griffin - 5
Brady Hardewig - 5
Josh Smith - 4
JaVar Daniel - 4
Xavier Shegog - 3
TOTAL - 53

NEBRASKA
Braden Frager - 22
Jamarques Lawrence - 18
Connor Essegian - 12
Rienk Mast - 10
Sam Hoiberg - 5
Cale Jacobsen - 5
Berke Buyuktuncel - 4
Pryce Sandfort - 3
Leo Curtis - 3
Jared Garcia - 2
Justin Bolis - 2
TOTAL - 86