Nebraska puts winning streak on line vs. UMES

The nation's longest active winning streak will be at stake when Nebraska hosts Maryland-Eastern Shore in a non-conference game Tuesday night in Lincoln, Neb.

The Cornhuskers (2-0) have won six games in a row dating to a four-game sweep of the College Basketball Crown tournament in Las Vegas to end last season.

Every win has been by at least eight points, with the two victories this season by 33 and 30.

Maryland-Eastern Shore (1-2) is coming off a 104-59 win over Division III school Cheyney, an outcome that followed season-opening losses at Georgia Tech (in overtime) and Georgia. The Hawks shot 78.8% from the field in their most recent game.

Nebraska's leading scorer has been redshirt freshman Braden Frager, who is averaging 18.5 points off the bench. But the best all-around player has been senior Rienk Mast, who in a 96-66 win Saturday over Florida International recorded a triple-double with 18 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.

"I kind of knew coming into the game that was going to be a passing game for me," Mast said. "I didn't expect to score this much."

It was the third triple-double in Nebraska history.

Mast contributed to the Huskers' 17 made 3-pointers, one off the school record. He was 2 of 3 from 3-point territory.

UMES has only allowed 17 3s in the first three games, defending at a 20.5% clip, but has been challenged in the paint and on the boards. The Hawks, who play in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, have not had a winning record since the 2022-23 (18-13). That was only their third season above .500 since 1979-80.

"I thought we did a better job defensively tonight," second-year UMES coach Cleo Hill Jr. said after the most recent game. "Our guys followed the game plan and made Cheyney work for everything. I think we eventually wore them down and managed to take control through the late part of the first half."

UMES' leading scorer is senior Joseph Locandro, who is averaging 10.7 points a game, while senior Zion Obanla had 17 in the win over Cheyney.

Nebraska is 15-0 against MEAC schools, most recently beating South Carolina State at home in 2023.