Huskers Fall To TCU In NCAA Tournament

Fort Worth, Texas -- Despite a career-high 23 points from freshman Cary Cochran, the Nebraska men's basketball team fell to TCU, 101-89, in the second round of the NIT monday evening in Fort Worth, Texas.

With the win, TCU advances to host Oregon, a 93-72 winner over Wyoming, in the third round of the NIT next Wednesday evening. With the loss, NU closes its season with a 20-13 record, the second straight season with 20 or more wins.

Cochran tied Chris Cresswell's school record of seven 3-pointers, as the freshman from Minden, Iowa, native was seven of 10 from beyond the arc and added four assists to lead four Huskers in double figures

Big 12 Player of the Year Venson Hamilton recorded his 18th double-double of the season, finishing with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Larry Florence and Cookie Belcher added 16 and 15 points, respectively. Belcher also added six steals in a losing effort.

Nebraska led 43-41 at the half, and the score was tied at 55 when Lee Nailon left after being whistled for his fourth foul 4:58 into the second half. TCU seized the momentum at that point, and by the time Nailon returned with 2:26 left in the game, TCU was on top 88-77.

Nebraska took a 67-66 lead with 10:06 remaining on Andy Markowski's short jumper, but Price Fowler, who finished with 18 points, teamed with Vladimir Jaksic outside while Marquise Gainous dominated the inside, leading TCU to an 84-71 lead with 4:49 to play.

Gainous led the Horned Frogs with 30 points and nine rebounds, while Nailon added 20 points and five assists.

GAME NOTES: Nebraska's 12 steals Monday gave it 358 in 33 games, breaking the Big 12 record Kansas set with 351 in 36 games two seasons ago. . . . Venson Hamilton finished with scoring and rebounding averages of 15.7 and 10.2, making him the first Husker to finish with a double-double average since Chuck Jura in 1972.