Ffriend Leads Huskers Past Colorado With Career Highs

Boulder, Colo. (AP) -- Kimani Ffriend, held scoreless by Colorado two weeks ago, had a career-high 24 points and 11 rebounds as Nebraska beat the Buffaloes 87-82 in overtime on Saturday.

Cookie Belcher added 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists to help the Cornhuskers (13-12, 6-6 Big 12) win its second road game in three weeks after 18 straight losses away from Lincoln.

Colorado (15-11, 5-8) failed to sweep Nebraska in the season series for the 18th straight year.

The Buffs led 82-81 on Stephane Pelle's short jumper in the lane with 49 seconds left in overtime, but Nebraska took the lead for good when Craig Wortmann scored on a layup on his only shot of the game 14 seconds later.

Colorado turned the ball over on its ensuing possession, and Belcher converted two free throws with 21 seconds to go. With Nebraska extending its defense to the perimeter, D.J. Harrison missed a 15-foot shot and Belcher hit two more free throws with less than a second remaining.

Harrison's shot selection was his second poor decision in overtime. Earlier, he committed an intentional foul that helped Nebraska take a 79-76 lead.

Pelle finished with 26 points and 17 rebounds, both career highs, and Nick Mohr had 17 points for the Buffs. Jose Winston added five assists to break Jay Humphries' single-season record of 174.

Steffon Bradford had 18 points and nine rebounds off the bench for the Cornhuskers, whose reserves had just four points in a three-point loss to Colorado on Feb. 3.

Ffriend was limited to one shot and three rebounds that loss but went 10-of-14 from the field Saturday. He also blocked four shots.

Colorado trailed for most of the second half and was behind 72-70 when Justin Harbert tied the game on an 18-footer with six seconds left in regulation. The game went to overtime when Belcher's 3-pointer from the right wing fell short.

Overtime might have been averted if either team had moderate success at the free throw line. Nebraska was 14-for-28 from the line in regulation and Colorado was 18-of-31. The Cornhuskers, a 59 percent team on the season, converted 7 of 8 in overtime.

The first half was forgettable as the two teams combined for 40 missed shots, including 19 from 3-point range, and 18 turnovers.

Colorado went 0-for-9 during one stretch but led by eight after a 9-1 run. Nebraska, which had 11 turnovers and six field goals at one point, scored the final six points of the half and trailed 26-24 at the break.