Balanced Effort Leads Huskers Past Wildcats

Lincoln ? Paul Velander hit six 3-pointers en route to a career-high-tying 20 points and the Nebraska defense forced Kansas State into a season-high 25 turnovers, as the Huskers cruised to a 73-51 victory over the Wildcats on Saturday in front of 11,091 fans at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

Velander’s six 3-pointers were a career high and helped the Huskers improve to 12-4 on the season and 2-1 in Big 12 play. Behind Velander’s shooting and the strong defense, the Huskers also earned their largest margin of victory in a conference game since 2004.

NU shot 50.0 percent on the game, including 58.3 percent in the second half. Velander hit 6-of-10 from behind the arc, while Cookie Miller hit 3-of-3 from 3-point range and the Huskers hit 10-of-18 as a team. Miller finished with 15 points as the only other Husker in double figure, although Steve Harley, Toney McCray, Sek Henry and Ade Dagunduro each had at least eight points in the balanced scoring effort.

As well as the offense played, the defense was even better. NU recorded nine steals and forced 25 Kansas State turnovers, 11 more than the Wildcats’ season average and five more than their previous season high. The turnovers were the difference in the game, as Nebraska outscored Kansas State 34-11 in points off turnovers. The Huskers also held K-State to a season-low 51 points, as the Wildcats fell to 11-6 overall and 0-3 in conference action.

Nebraska's defense harassed Kansas State early and often in the first half, preventing the Wildcats from operating effectively in their half-court offense. K-State turned the ball over eight times in its first 14 possessions, but in system, the Wildcats hit five of their first seven shots. Overall, Kansas State shot 47.1 percent in the first half, while Nebraska connected on 41.7 percent. NU also hit all eight of its free throws and connected on 4-of-8 attempts from 3-point range.

The Huskers were able to build an 11-point halftime lead thanks to a 21-6 advantage in points off turnovers. The Wildcats turned the ball over 17 times in the first half, after averaging fewer than 14 turnovers per game entering the contest. Seven of the turnovers came courtesy of Husker steals, as Ryan Anderson had five steals in the half.

Kansas State started strong, making its first three shots of the game to jump out to an early 7-2 lead. Nebraska responded with six straight points to take its first lead, as the Husker defense held the Wildcats scoreless for more than three minutes.

After trading one-point leads, Velander drilled a 3-pointer to give Nebraska a 13-9 advantage before Kansas State responded with seven straight points. The Wildcats continued to hold a slim lead until a Miller 3-pointer gave Nebraska a 20-19 advantage with less than five minutes remaining in the half.

Trailing by one two minutes later, Velander scored eight straight points to give Nebraska a 28-21 lead. Dagunduro then added a put back and Anderson hit two late free throws to cap a 12-0 half-ending run that gave the Huskers a 32-21 lead at the break.

The Huskers also scored the first point of the second half before a Fred Brown 3-pointer cut the lead to nine. Henry and Miller then added 3-pointers to highlight a 12-2 run that stretched the Huskers’ lead to 19 five minutes into the half.

Kansas State hit only two field goals over the first seven minutes of the second half, but the Wildcats still trailed by only 15 near the midpoint of the half. Nebraska ended any thoughts of a K-State comeback when Velander and Miller combined to knock down three straight 3-pointers to give NU a 63-37 lead with eight minutes remaining.

The Huskers lead grew to 30 three minutes later on a McCray put back, another Velander 3-pointer and a Harley free throw. Kansas State scored 10 of the game’s final 12 points to cut the final margin of victory down to 22.

Nebraska returns to action on Wednesday, when the Huskers travel to Norman, Okla., for a battle with nationally-ranked Oklahoma Sooners. Tip off is set for 8 p.m. and the game will be televised on ESPNU.