Huskers Advance to San Juan Shootout Finals

Carolina, Puerto Rico - Kevin Augustine scored 13 points, including the game-winning basket with 24.2 seconds remaining, as Nebraska defeated Kent State, 69-68, in the San Juan Shootout semifinals Thursday evening.

The Huskers, who have won four straight to improve to 6-3 on the season, will face SMU, a 94-88 winner over Virginia Commonwealth earlier Thursday, in the San Juan Shootout title game Friday afternoon at 4:15 p.m. (CST). Nebraska fell to Murray State 81-79 in the finals of the 1990 San Juan Shootout, the Huskers' only previous finals appearance.

Trailing 68-67, Augustine went by a screen, drove through a pair of defenders and pulled up for a foul-line jumper before the shot clock expired, giving the Huskers a one-point lead. Augustine finished with a season-high 13 points and three assists in 29 minutes to lead three Huskers in double figures.

Nebraska overcame a six-point deficit in the final 5:44, holding the Golden Flashes to one basket in that span. The four-game win streak is Nebraska's longest since a five-game winning streak since the 1998-99 season.

Nebraska trailed 68-63 with three minutes left before a Steffon Bradford layup cut the lead to 68-65. On KSU's next possession, Augustine drew a charge, giving possession back to the Huskers. On the subsequent possession, Kimani Ffriend was fouled and converted the first foul shot, cutting the lead to 68-66. Ffriend missed the second shot, but grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled again just over one minute remaining. He converted the first but missed the second before Cookie Belcher grabbed the loose ball near the sideline, giving the Huskers an opportunity for Augustine's heroics.

Kent State (6-3) had an opportunity to win in the final seconds, but the Huskers forced a bad shot and Augustine came away with the ball in a scramble under the basket as time expired.

Ffriend recorded his first double-double of the season with 19 points and 10 rebounds. The 6-11 center also blocked six shots, one off his career high, and finished 7-of-9 shooting from the floor. Redshirt freshman Brian Conklin also turned in a strong performance, finishing in double figures with a career-high 11 points, all in the first half. A native of Hubbard, Ohio, Conklin was 5-of-8 from the floor and grabbed two rebounds in the victory.

Ffriend and Conklin combined for 23 of NU's 40 first-half points, but the Huskers committed 13 turnovers and trailed 42-40 at the break, as Kent shot over 50 percent from the floor and committed just five turnovers.

NU shot a season-high 61.9 percent from the floor and dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Golden Flashes, 30-18, including 13 offensive rebounds. The Huskers became only the second team this season to shoot 50 percent or better against Kent State.

KSU, which had won five straight entering today's game, was led by Demertic Shaw's 18 points, as four Golden Flashes ended in double figures.

Nebraska (6-3) vs. Kent State (6-3) Postgame Notes
*- It is the second time that Nebraska has qualified for the San Juan Shootout finals, as NU also reached the championship game in 1990 (a 81-79 loss to Murray State). With the win, Nebraska improves to 6-2 in three San Juan Shootout appearances

Previous San Juan Shootout Appearances
1990 San Juan Shootout (def. St. Louis, 107-79; def. Illinois, 100-73; lost to Murray State 79-81)
1994 San Juan Shootout (def. NE Louisiana, 99-77; lost to Virginia Tech, 81-87; def. College of Charleston, 74-72)
2000 San Juan Shootout (def. Iona, 81-80; def. Kent State, 69-68; vs. SMU Friday at 4:15 p.m.)

*- The four-game winning streak is Nebraska's longest since a five game-winning streak during the 1998-99 season (Jan. 13 - Jan. 27). The NU win also ends Kent's five-game winning streak.

*- The six-point deficit that Nebraska overcame was the largest single-game deficit NU has overcome this season. The previous high was five points in the first half against Eastern Illinois.

*- Kimani Ffriend finished with his first double-double of the season, and ninth of his career, with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Ffriend also blocked six shots, one off his career high, marking the fourth time in his career that he has blocked six or more shots in a game.

*- Cookie Belcher was held to a season low two points, but went over 1,200 points in his career. He now has 1,201 points and is three points away from tying Jack Moore, who had 1,204 points between 1979 and 1982, for 15th place on NU scoring charts. Belcher also had one steal, giving him 297 in his career. Belcher is three steals away from becoming the 25th player in NCAA history to have 300 career steals.

*- Paced by a career-high 11 points by redshirt freshman Brian Conklin (all in the first half), Nebraska's bench scored 21 points, the second time in the last three games the Husker bench has scored 20 or more points in a contest. Conklin was five-of-eight shooting from the floor, including a three-pointer. After missing his first seven 3-pointers this season, Conklin has made four straight 3-pointers over the last three games.

*- Nebraska shot a season-high 61.9 percent from the floor, marking the eighth time in nine games the Huskers have shot 50 percent or better from the floor. NU became only the second Kent State opponent to shoot 50 percent from the floor, as the Golden Flashes held their last four opponents under 43 percent shooting.

* - Despite being held scoreless in the first half and to just eight points, Steffon Bradford was a perfect 3-of-3 from the floor and has now made 23-of-26 (88.4) shots from the floor over the last three games.

*- NU shot 50 percent from the 3-point line for the fourth consecutive game, hitting 3-of-6 from 3-point range.

*- Defensively, the Huskers have held seven of their nine opponents under 50 percent shooting.

Nebraska Coach Barry Collier
On the final minutes
"Our guys did a great job the last three minutes of the game and that was a turnaround from last night. Tonight, we were behind and got the stops and frustrated them. We rebound the ball well and took better care of the ball down the stretch in order for us to win"

On Kimani Ffriend
"I though Kimani played very well. He was aggressive and kept his emotions in check. He had 19 points and 10 rebounds, and made some free throws down the stretch.

"I thought the number of turnovers we had hurt us, but Kevin made a big play at the end to win it."

On the final play:
We tried to string them out. It came off a missed free throw, and they rushed out on him.Kevin penetrated and got inside and was able to get a good look. He somewhat over-penatrated earlier in the game. We talked to him during a timeout about just taking the ball and stopping and making a short jump shot."

On the offensive rebound by Belcher
Cookie made a great play to get the rebound. He came from behind the 3-point line to get the ball, and he had the composure to set it up the play instead of rushing to take a shot. Cookie didn't have the best shooting night, but he does so many things to help us win games.

Kevin Augustine
On the final play
Kimani's foul shot came off and we were able to get the offensive rebound. Once I got the ball back from Steffon, I didn't realize the shot clock was winding down until I looked in the corner and saw five second left. Kimani set a good screen and I knew I had to take a shot. I came over on the screen and went between the two guys and was wide open at the free throw line. I just took it and it fell for me

I had a great look. The defense went up to pressure me, and that helped me once I got by the screen because everyone else stayed with their men, and I got an open look.

Kimani Ffriend
Overall
With Steffon (Bradford) in foul trouble, I wanted to be aggressive. The guys made an effort to get the ball inside and I was able to use my quickness to create mismatches. I have to give credit to my teammates - they guys stepped up tonight, especially Kevin late in the second half.

On using this game later in the season
We won, but there is still a lot of room for improvement. We have to take care of the ball and play better perimeter defense. We have to learn from this game and keep getting better as we get ready for the Big 12