NU Defense Shoots Down Eagles in 71-28 Win

Lincoln--Behind an outstanding defensive performance that saw Nebraska hold North Carolina Central to a Big 12-record low of eight points in the first half, the Huskers defeated the Eagles, 71-28, Saturday night in Lincoln. 

 

Nebraska’s stifling defense forced 18 NCCU turnovers in the first half and held the Eagles to just 2-for-17 shooting, including 0-for-10 in shots from inside the 3-point arc.  The eight points surrendered by Nebraska were the fewest ever given up by a Big 12 team in a half.  The Huskers continued their intense defense, holding North Carolina Central to a DevaneyCenter record-low 19.6 percent field-goal shooting on the night. 

 

The Huskers were led offensively by Sek Henry, who scored a season-high 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting including 3-for-5 from behind the 3-point line and six rebounds off the bench for NU.  Aleks Maric was the only other Husker in double-digits with 10 on 4-for-5 shooting in a season-low 14 minutes.  All 14 players who dressed for the game played, with 12 of the 14 scoring. 

 

Nebraska started the game on a 10-0 run in the first five minutes of the contest, marking the third straight game the Huskers opened with at least a 9-0 run.  The effort was balanced during the run, as four different Nebraska players scored during the span.

 

After giving up four straight points, the Huskers erased any doubt with a 15-0 run that built the NU lead to 25-4 with 5:14 remaining in the first half.  The Huskers' defense remained stifling throughout the run, as the Eagles turned the ball over on 10 straight possessions at one point.

 

After halftime, Nebraska matched its hot start to the first half with a 10-0 run over the first five minutes, 20 seconds of the second half.  NCCU finally broke the run and a 10 minute, 13 second drought from the field with its first two-point basket of the game with 14:41 left to go in the contest.  The Eagles’ drought was the second-longest by a NU opponent this season, topped only by a 12 minute, 48 second span by Rutgers without a basket from the field. 

 

With the outcome no longer in question, Nebraska was still able to build on its lead despite fielding a lineup with four walk-ons on the floor for the last seven minutes of the game.  A 3-pointer from the top of the key by Nick Krenk with 2 minutes, 29 seconds remaining in the game gave NU a 69-28 lead, its largest of the game. 

 

Along with ending the game on a 9-1 run, the Huskers didn’t surrender a field goal over the last 6:54 of the game. It was the Eagles’ fourth field-goal drought of five minutes or more in the game and the 14th such drought forced by the Husker defense this year. The Huskers have led for the last 106 minutes, 40 seconds at the DevaneyCenter, dating back to the 6:40 mark in the first half against Rutgers. 

 

Nebraska (9-2) continues its three-game homestand at the DevaneyCenter with a matchup against AlcornState on Saturday, Dec. 29 at 7 p.m.  Tickets still remain for the game against ASU, including a $5 special Holiday Hoops ticket in the upper benches.