Lincoln - Venson Hamilton had 17 points and 12 rebounds as Nebraska improved ended a two-game losing streak with a 70-61 victory over Kansas State in front of 8,029 fans at the Bob Devaney Center Wednesday evening.

With the win, the Huskers improved to 9-7 on the season and 1-2 in the Big 12. NU also avoided its first 0-3 conference start since the 1992-93 season. The 6-10 senior center recorded his fourth straight double-double and his seventh of the season and also three assists, two blocks and two steals in 34 minutes.

The Huskers used a 14-4 spurt, over the final 6:37of the first half, keyed by 3-pointers from redshirt freshman Cary Cochran and junior guard Cookie Belcher and two baskets by senior forward Andy Markowski, to break open a 21-all tie to give Nebraska a 35-25 lead at the break. Markowski scored four of his seven points in the final minute, including a putback of a Belcher miss in the final seconds of the half

The Huskers would build the lead to as many 41-30 before the Wildcats responded with a 10-0 to cut the lead to 41-39 on a Shawn Rhodes 3-pointer. Rhoded had five of his 11 points in the run, the closest KSU would come the rest of the ballgame.

Nebraska clinged to a 50-46 lead with 10:18 before putting the game away with a 12-4 outburst over the next six minutes. The Huskers held KSU without a field goal over the next 8:52 as Belcher, a junior from Mexico, Mo., scored five of his 15 points during the run, including a key 3-pointer as the shot clock expired to give the Huskers a 62-50 lead.

Despite a 5-of-13 shooting performance, Belcher finished with 15 points, four rebounds and four assists. Larry Florence, Chad Johnson and Cary Cochran all chipped in eight points each.

Manny Dies led Kansas State (12-5 overall, 1-3 in the Big 12) with 19 points, including 11-of-14 from the free throw line, and 12 rebounded. Shawn Rhodes was the only other Wildcat in double figures, finishing with 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the floor. On the evening, KSU shot just 35 percent from the floor (19-54), including 8-of-28 after halftime.

The Huskers return to action this Saturday, Jan. 13, as the Huskers travel to Waco, Texas, to face the Baylor Bears. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.
Nebraska vs. Kansas State Postgame Quotes and Notes

Nebraska Notes
Nebraska avoided its first 0-3 conference start since the 1992-93 season...Venson Hamilton recorded his fourth straight double-double and his seventh of the season...Hamilton also became the 30th player all-time among Big 12 schools to score 1,000 career points and record 900 career rebounds...Hamilton now has 1,110 career points and 907 rebounds...Dating back to last season Nebraska has held 15 of 33 opponents to 41 percent or less from the field...Cary Cochran