Lincoln- Redshirt freshman Cary Cochran scored five of his career-high 10 points in a 13-2 first-half run as Nebraska defeated Colgate, 60-48, in the championship game of the Ameritas Classic in front of 6,259 fans at the Bob Devaney Sports Center Saturday evening.

Cochran bettered his career best for the second straight evening as he finished with 10 points, four assists and two steals in 20 minutes off the bench. Cochran's previous best was seven points during Friday's first-round victory over Southwest Texas State.

With Nebraska (5-3) trailing 14-13, Cochran scored five straight points on a three-pointer and a layup to trigger the 13-2 spurt to close the first half as the Huskers led 26-16 at intermission.  

Venson Hamilton had 11 points, eight rebounds and a career high steals, while senior forward Andy Markowski added 10 points as NU led the entire second half. Hamilton was selected as the tournament MVP as Nebraska has won the past 11 Ameritas Classic titles. Cochran and junior guard Cookie Belcher joined Hamilton on the all tournament team.

Colgate (3-4) cut the NU lead to 38-33 at the 9:07 mark before sophomore Chad Johnson scored all nine of his points in a 14-2 run to give the Huskers a comfortable 52-33 lead. The sophomore connected on a pair of three-pointers and a jumper during the decisive spurt.

Pat Campolieta and LaMarr Datcher paced Colgate (3-4) with eight points apiece. The Red Raiders shot just 40 percent from the floor and were outrebounded 36-29

The Huskers return to action next Wednesday, Dec. 10, when Nebraska plays host to undefeated Creighton beginning at 7:05 p.m. Nebraska Head Coach Danny Danny Nee

ON THE GAME
I'm always pleased when we get a win. We played solid and put forth good effort tonight.

ON CARY COCHRAN
Cary stepped in and played well. Making the all tournament team is great. It should really boost his confidence.

ON ANDY MARKOWSKI
Andy did the little things to help us win tonight. By little things, I mean the intangables, rebounding and guarding his man.

 ON BELCHER PLAYING POINT GUARD
Cookie playing the point guard position 35-40 minutes a game hurts his game. It is too much to ask of him.

Colgate Head Coach Emmett Davis
ON THE GAME
It was a really hard fought for game. It was a defensive game. Both teams played good defense, but the difference was at the free throw line. We have to do a better job at the line. Hats off to the Nebraska team, they hit some big shots at crucial times. Overall, this was a great tournament and we enjoyed being a part of it.

Nebraska Postgame Notes
Nebraska won the Ameritas Classic for the 11th straight season and has won 22 games in the tournament overall