Nebraska hammers out 20-point win against Texas Rio Grande Valley in season opener at PBA

During a night when Nebraska misfired often from three-point territory, Connor Essegian came up big from deep in a critical moment.

With his team clinging to a four-point lead with four-and-a-half minutes left in the game, Essegian buried a three-pointer to give the Huskers breathing room. He followed with two free throws and another basket to push the lead to 11, and NU went on to an 87-67 victory against Texas Rio Grande Valley in the season opener for both teams.

With three newcomers in the starting lineup, and a roster that's been largely overhauled, Nebraska had to smooth out some rough edges. But thanks mostly to returner Brice Williams — who scored a game-high 27 points — the Huskers came out on top at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

The 6-foot-4 Essegian, a transfer from Wisconsin, finished with 13 points while hitting 3-for-4 from deep. The Huskers were 6-for-19 from beyond the arc (31.6%).

Utah transfer Rollie Worster contributed 18 points, nine rebounds, three assists and four steals.

Worster will be a critical piece because he's clearly the floor general.

Nebraska, a Big Dance participant last season, obviously will lean on Williams for scoring.

The Weekly Rundown: Nebraska must pick up the pieces again

Williams jump-starts Huskers

Texas Rio Grande Valley pushed Nebraska the entire first half and most of the second. The Huskers took their largest first-half lead, 42-34, on Williams' layup off a feed from Berke Buyuktuncel with 34 seconds left in the opening 20 minutes.

Texas Rio Grande Valley hit 6 of its first 16 threes, the impetus to the Vaqueros being tied with the Huskers at 21-21 with 7:59 left in half.

Williams scored Nebraska's first eight points, all during the first three minutes of the game to give the Huskers an 8-0 lead. He finished the first half with 19 points.

Texas Rio Grande Valley — which was 13-for-41 from deep — now prepares for a Wednesday night game against Creighton in Omaha.

Nebraska returns to action Saturday with a 7 p.m. home game against Bethune-Cookman.