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LINCOLN — Too often in Nebraska coach Doc Sadler's tenure, late-game situations haven't been a strength. At various times and in various ways, wayward shots, spotty execution or an unfortunate break have led to a close loss.

But Nebraska made nearly all the right moves near the end of Wednesday's 70-69 upset of No. 11 Indiana.

Junior wing Dylan Talley, after corralling offensive rebounds, made a free throw with 1:42 left and hit a putback with 23.8 seconds left. Senior guard Brandon Richardson made two free throws with 42 seconds left and grabbed a rebound after an Indiana free-throw miss with 23 seconds left.

Richardson then initiated Nebraska's final offensive play, getting the ball to Bo Spencer, who circled around a pick, drove the lane and bounced a pass to center Jorge Brian Diaz, who drew a foul with 11 seconds left.

His two free throws gave Nebraska its first lead — 70-69 — since the score was 12-11.

"Everybody came in and made big plays,'' said senior wing Toney McCray, who set the screen that freed Spencer. "I can't think of one guy on the floor who didn't step up and help us when it was needed. It's nice to see everybody happy.''

Diaz said he never had been in a potentially deciding free-throw situation that late in a game.

"I knew I had to make those free throws for my teammates,'' Diaz said. "Bo made a great pass when he penetrated. I tried to go up there comfortable.''

Diaz, a 65.5 percent free-thrower, hit 4 of 5 in the game and didn't let an Indiana timeout after making the first of his final two faze him.

"I just kept thinking that I was going to make them,'' he said.

Spencer said he expected Indiana to crowd him, thinking that he would take the final shot. So when he drove down the lane and saw 6-foot-11 Hoosier center Cody Zeller slide into his path to try to take a charge, Spencer was ready.

"We've been working the past week on jump stops and passing the ball,'' he said. "I got to a jump stop and dropped the ball off to Diaz, and it was a great play.''

Hulls disappointed with missed shots

Indiana liked its situation with 23 seconds left. The Hoosiers had a 69-68 lead and junior guard Jordan Hulls at the free-throw line for a one-and-one.

Hulls is a career 87.8 percent free-throw shooter. In December, he saw his Big Ten-record string of 58 makes in a row end. And he had already made 4 of 4 against Nebraska.

But Hulls missed this time, allowing Nebraska to get the ball and complete its comeback.

"He's a human being,'' Indiana coach Tom Crean said. "And nobody is more disappointed than he is. But we wouldn't trade having him at the line again.''

Hulls had a chance for redemption on Indiana's final possession. He drove around the Nebraska defense and missed a shot in the lane. After a scramble for the rebound, Hulls grabbed the ball and heaved a 3-pointer at the buzzer that was long.

Win had Huskers rushing from court

Senior Toney McCray had been part of a rush-the-court celebration before at Nebraska after a big win, so he wisely knew that this time to step aside.

"I remember last year when we beat Texas and they stormed the floor, I was out there and somebody cut my lip," he said. "So that's the first thing I thought about.

"I wanted to get to the side and shake their hand this time and get out of there. I was trying to act like we did it before and try not to be so surprised."

Bits and pieces

One of Indiana's assistant coaches, Steve McClain, was a familiar face. McClain is a native of Orient, Iowa, and a graduate of Chadron (Neb.) State. He previously was a head coach at Wyoming and an assistant at Colorado. ... Indiana is one of Nebraska's four "single-plays'' in the Big Ten this season, so there is no rematch. ... The Huskers are at home again at 7 p.m. Saturday against No. 6 Ohio State.

— Lee Barfknecht

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