Freshmen Spark Huskers Past Eagles

Redshirt freshman Toney McCray scored a game-high 18 points while true freshman Eshaunte Jones added 16 points, and the Nebraska men's basketball team used a strong defensive effort in a lopsided 85-54 victory over Chadron State Friday at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. Nebraska held a 52-16 advantage in points off the bench while its defensive effort, which held CSC to 40 percent shooting, also forced the Eagles into 27 turnovers.

Playing in their only exhibition game of the season, the Huskers came out of halftime with a 51-26 lead and did not let down, as they held the Eagles to 1-of-7 from the field to open the frame while creating three turnovers in the first four and one-half minutes of the second half. The Huskers also continued to role offensively as they opened the second period with a quick 6-0 run behind baskets from seniors Ade Dagunduro and Steve Harley in addition to a pair of free throws from Sek Henry.

 

After a short burst by the Eagles, Jones imposed his will at the 12:03 mark on the Eagle defense, knifing through the lane to score his final points of the night. Jones hit his first five shots from the floor and finished hitting 6-of-9 overall while adding three assists in 16 minutes of action.

 

Following a steal by Cookie Miller, Jones then found Henry for an easy layup. Paul Velander followed with a steal of his own, eventually hitting Harley down the lane to put the Huskers up 68-34.

 

After a 9-4 run by the Eagles, the Huskers again answered with a 3-pointer by Dagunduro and a baseline layup by McCray on back-to-back possessions. Two trips later, Richardson hit a 3-pointer before dropping in a layup on the Huskers' next trip down the floor to score five quick points and push the Husker lead to 82-49 with 4:18 remaining.

 

McCray finished the night coming off the bench to score 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting, while also adding a game-high seven rebounds. McCray added two assists with three steals, as the Huskers forced the Eagles into 27 turnovers on the night.

 

The Eagles got off to a hot start, taking a 10-3 lead to open the game while the Huskers struggled from the field, hitting just one of their first six shots. From that point on, it was all Huskers, as Nebraska scored 15 straight points while holding the Eagles off the scoreboard for 6:08. McCray sparked the run by forcing a turnover in the backcourt and dishing to Velander for a 3-pointer. McCray then scored six points during the run to put the Huskers in control.

Leading by eight, Nebraska continued to add to its half-changing 21-2 run that put the Huskers in front 24-12 midway through the period. Jones entered the game for the first time in his Husker career with 8:48 left in the first half and scored nine straight points to break the game open. Jones scored all nine points in a span of 2:24.

Jones led all scorers with 14 points at the break, shooting a perfect 5-of-5 from the field, including hitting both tries from beyond the arc. McCray added 12 points for the Huskers in the first half. After hitting just one of its first seven shots from the floor, the Huskers finished the half connecting on 13 of their final 23 attempts.

Nebraska recorded 10 steals while forcing 16 Chadron State turnovers. In the first half, NU enjoyed a 26-5 edge in points off turnovers.

 

The Huskers will next be in action on Sunday, Nov. 19, when they play host to San Jose State at the Devaney Center. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. Fans can purchase tickets at Huskers.com or by calling 1-800-8-BIGRED.