GAME NOTES: The Nebraska Huskers begin a brief two-game homestand on Thursday evening, as the play host to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in a Big Ten showdown at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Coming off their first-ever Big Ten victory, the Scarlet Knights are seeking a win streak after a 50-46 win over a good Penn State squad last weekend. The triumph was the third in the last four games for Rutgers, which now sits at 9-6 on the year, with a 1-1 league ledger.

Nebraska on the other hand, comes in still searching for its first Big Ten win of the season. The Cornhuskers are 0-2 in league play after falling at home to Indiana (70-65) and most recently, on the road at Iowa (70-59). With back-to- back losses, Nebraska is now 8-6 on the season.

This marks the fourth all-time meeting between these two teams. Rutgers holds a 2-1 advantage, although this is the first meeting since 2007.

Rutgers used another stellar defensive performance to earn its first victory in its new conference, as the Knights held a strong Penn State squad to a season-low 46 points. In all, the Nittany Lions only shot .288 from the floor. It was a good thing though, as Rutgers was a miserable .160 from the field in the second half and just able to fend off the visitors on Saturday. Kadeem Jack recorded his second double-double of the season, finishing with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Myles Mack tacked on 10 points of his own for the Scarlet Knights, who won despite shooting a poor .300 from the floor overall.

Putting up gaudy offensive numbers isn't something Rutgers is accustomed too this season. The Knights are averaging a mere 58.9 ppg and as expected, that comes on a meager .389 shooting percentage. The 5-foot-10 Mack runs the show for Rutgers and is tops on the team in both scoring (13.7 ppg), assists (4,.5 apg) and steals (2.1 spg). The 6-9 Jack is second on the team in both scoring (12.2 ppg) and rebounding (6.8 rpg). Sophomore guard Junior Etou (8.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg) provides some support.

Nebraska trailed Iowa by seven points at the half, but battled back to take a one-point lead in the second half. The Hawkeyes found their offensive rhythm after that however, as an 11-3 run, fueled by three straight 3-pointers, provided the breathing room necessary for the win. the game was decided at the free-throw line, as Iowa went 31-of-38 compared to Nebraska's 13-of-21 effort. The loss spoiled another terrific performance by Shavon Shields, who posted his third straight 20-point game, finishing with 25 points against Iowa. Terran Petteway was the only other Cornhusker to finish in double figures, posting 11 points in the loss.

The Cornhuskers aren't the flashiest offensive squad around, but they have been a lot more efficient than Rutgers on the season. Nebraska enters this contest averaging 66.9 ppg on .430 shooting from the floor. The defensive effort has been consistent, with foes shooting under 40 percent (.387) and averaging a mere 62.8 ppg. Nebraska boasts of the best one-two scoring punch in the Big Ten in Petteway and Shields. The 6-6 Petteway ranks second in the conference at 18.9 ppg. Shields, a 6-7 forward isn't far behind, ranking fourth in the Big Ten at 17.9 ppg. Shields is tops on the team in rebounding with just under seven caroms per outing (6.9).

Nebraska has the better offensive threats in Petteway and Shields. Rutgers, despite the ability to play tight defense, is at a disadvantage in this one, with very little scoring depth to counter.