Huskers Fall In Overtime

Lincoln -- For the second straight week, a 3-pointer by Nebraska's Danny Walker sent the game into overtime, but Ural Great-Russia scored the 12 of the last 14 points in overtime to defeat Nebraska 102-98 Wednesday evening at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

Walker's 3-pointer with seven seconds remaining in regulation, his only field goal of the evening, capped a furious Husker comeback which saw NU erase a 10-point deficit in the last 1:27. Trailing 82-72, sophomore Cary Cochran triggered a 14-4 Husker run with a 3-pointer that started the spurt. Cochran finished with 16 points and nine assists to leads four Huskers in double figures.

Nebraska pushed Ural Great-Russia into overtime even though starters Cookie Belcher and Larry Florence did not play and starting point guard Danny Walker did not play until the second half. Walker finished with five points and eight assists.

The Huskers could not stop Ural guard Sergei Chikalin, who finished with 40 points on 15-of-28 shooting from the floor, including four 3-pointers. Former Ohio State player Otis Winston was the only other Russian in double figures, scoring 24 points and adding a team-high 12 rebounds before fouling out in overtime.

Trailing 42-34 at halftime, Nebraska was able to chip into Ural's lead with a strong inside game behind Steffon Bradford and Kimani Ffriend. Bradford finished with 25 points and a game-high 20 rebounds before fouling out in regulation, while Friend chipped in 20 points, on 8-of-12 shooting from the floor, and 12 boards as NU outrebounded the opposition 56-51.

Junior Rodney Fields also scored in double figures in a losing effort with 13 points and four steals.

The Huskers open the regular season next Tuesday, Nov. 23, as they take on Eastern Illinois at the Bob Devaney Sports Center, beginning at 7:05 p.m.