Connor Essegian Injured in Nebraska’s Win Over New Mexico

LINCOLN, Nebraska — In a heated matchup on Thursday night, Nebraska guard Connor Essegian suffered what appeared to be a chipped tooth following an aggressive play during his team’s 84-72 victory over New Mexico.

The incident occurred in the first half when New Mexico’s Deyton Albury delivered a punch to the back of Essegian’s head with just over a minute left on the clock. As a result of the foul, Albury was assessed a flagrant foul 2 and consequently ejected from the game.

New Mexico coach Eric Olen acknowledged the impact of the play, stating, “It looked like there was contact to his head, which is what they called it. That was a tough moment for us, losing Deyton like that, and that took the wind out of our sails and we didn’t really finish the half.”

Despite the injury, Essegian managed to contribute to the team with 6 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 assist in 31 minutes on the court. The victory marked the Cornhuskers’ ninth consecutive win, enhancing their status as a strong force in college basketball.

Following the game, Essegian took to social media to share a photo of a piece of his tooth, humorously acknowledging the unusual nature of his injury. He later joked that the quick-witted users on social media were “undefeated,” referencing a new account created under the handle “Connor Essegian’s Tooth.”

Meanwhile, Albury expressed remorse for his actions, labeling them a “selfish decision” in a post on social media. He did not specifically apologize to Essegian but addressed the wider implications of his actions, stating, “Lobo Nation you deserve better than what I displayed tonight.” He took responsibility for his behavior, emphasizing that it did not reflect the ethos of the basketball program or the team’s commitment to their supporters, particularly the younger fans who witnessed the incident.

With this win, the Cornhuskers remain undefeated at 5-0 for the season, showcasing the longest active winning streak in the nation as they continue their quest for success on the court.