Niagara Falls to Nebraska, 78-70

Lincoln ? John Turek and Nate Johnson scored 17 points apiece, while Nebraska went 12-of-12 from the foul line in the final minute to preserve a 78-70 win over Niagara in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament in front of 10,149 at the Devaney Center Friday evening.

The Huskers, who improved to 14-1 all-time in NIT games at the Devaney Center, will now hit the road on Sunday, traveling to Hawaii to meet the Rainbow Warriors (20-11). Tipoff for Monday’s match-up is set for 10 p.m. (CST) at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Turek nearly finished with double-double with 17 points, on 6-of-11 shooting, and a team-high eight rebounds, while Johnson, who hit the game-winner in NU’s opening-round win over Creighton, had 17 points and four rebounds. Brian Conklin joined the duo in double figures with 14 points, including a trio of three-pointers, and added a season-high four assists without a turnover.

With the score tied at 52, Jason Dourisseau sparked a 5-0 Husker run that gave Nebraska the lead for good. The sophomore guard, who finished with nine points and four rebounds in 16 minutes, hit a driving layup to put NU up 54-52 and then forced a turnover on Niagara’s next possession. Dourisseau was fouled on NU’s next possession and hit the first of two foul shots, but missed the second, which Niagara rebounded. Drevo then stole the pass and hit a short jumper to put the Huskers up 57-52 with 7:27 remaining in regulation.

The Purple Eagles, who finished the year with a 22-10 record, closed to within 57-55 on a three-pointer by David Brooks with 6:56 left, but Nebraska answered right back on a three-pointer from Conklin. Turek’s reverse layup gave the Huskers a seven-point lead.

Niagara made one last surge, getting to within 64-60 with 2:40 remaining on a three-point play from Jaun Mendez, who scored a game-high 27 points on 10-of-18 shooting. The Huskers, who converted 24-of-32 from the foul line, were perfect down the stretch and hit all 12 free throws over the final 57 seconds, including six from Johnson.

Mendez led three Golden Eagles in double figures, as James Reaves finished with 12 points and a game-high 11 rebounds, while Tremmell Darden added 11 points. Niagara, which was making its first postseason appearance since 1993, was held to just 40 percent shooting, including 9-of-27 from three-point range and scored just 70 points, 11 under its season average.