Balanced Effort Carries Huskers Past Lions

Lincoln - Eight Huskers scored at least five points, including three in double figures, as the Nebraska basketball team used a balanced effort to post an 86-66 exhibition victory over Arkansas-Fort Smith on Friday night at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

Freshman Christian Standhardinger led a strong effort from Nebraska's newcomers, finishing with 17 points and six rebounds, while redshirt freshman Jorge Brian Diaz recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Collectively, the seven newcomers who saw action combined for 59 points and 32 rebounds. The veterans contributed as well, as senior Ryan Anderson poured in a game-high 18 points while grabbing five rebounds.

The Huskers used their size advantage inside to out-rebound the Lions, 48-26. NU also enjoyed a 14-point advantage in points in the paint (42-28) and second-chance points (17-3). The size advantage also helped NU earn 41 trips to the free throw line. On the night, the Huskers hit 30-of-41 free throws, compared to only 8-of-21 for the Lions.

Facing an Arkansas-Fort Smith program he coached for five years from 1998 to 2003, fourth-year NU Coach Doc Sadler saw his newcomers make an early impact against the Lions. Sadler's starting lineup featured two freshmen and three first-time Division I players.

The newcomers accounted for the Huskers' first seven points. Junior Lance Jeter opened the scoring with a jumper before freshman Brandon Ubel pulled down three early offensive rebounds that led to five free throws. Anderson then scored five straight points, including a 3-pointer.

But the Huskers trailed 14-12 five minutes into the game, as UAFS hit five of its first eight shots, including a pair of 3-pointers. Diaz and Standhardinger then hit back-to-back baskets down low to put NU on top 17-14.

The Lions regained the lead at 20-19 following consecutive 3-pointers. The lead grew to as large as four when the Huskers went more than seven minutes without a field goal. A Standhardinger layup ended the dry spell with with 6:43 left in the half. That basket ignited a 12-0 run over the next three minutes. Following Standhardinger's bucket, NU picked up a quick steal and Anderson converted a three-point to give NU a one-point lead.

Senior Sek Henry then scored four of the next seven points to cap the run and put the Huskers on top 39-31 with less than four minutes remaining in the half. Arkansas-Fort Smith answered back with a pair of 3-pointers to close the gap to four. The Lions then trimmed the lead to two at 41-39 before suffering a big loss. Grant Clark, who hit four 3-pointers and scored 14 points, fouled out with 1:25 remaining in the half. Anderson then closed the first half with a pair of free throws to give NU a 43-39 lead at the break.

Nebraska shot just 39.3 percent in the first half and hit only one 3-pointer, while UAFS shot 51.7 percent and knocked down seven treys. But the Huskers had a decisive edge at the charity stripe, as NU connected on 20-of-29 free throws compared to only 2-of-4 for the Lions.

In the second half, Arkansas-Fort Smith's shooting dipped to 35.7 percent, including just 1-of-9 from beyond the arc. The Huskers, however, increased their accuracy to 55.2 percent in the second half.

Diaz scored the first four points of the half, as NU quickly stretched its lead to eight. The Lions came back with a 6-0 spurt that trimmed the lead to two, before 10 straight Husker points pushed the lead to 57-45 with 13:15 remaining. Standhardinger scored the final five points of the run.

After the teams traded baskets, junior Quincy Hankins-Cole gave NU a 15-point lead with 11 minutes remaining following a three-point play. Hankins-Cole then added two more points to give NU a 69-51 lead with nine minutes remaining.

The Lions scored six of the next eight points to cut the lead to 14. Nebraska then used a 9-3 run to take its first 20-point lead at 80-60 with four minutes left in the game. Down the stretch, freshman Ray Gallegos scored five points and classmate Adrien Coleman added a basket to account for the final 20-point victory.

Nebraska wraps up its exhibition season on Tuesday, Nov. 10 against Hastings. Tip-off between the Huskers and Broncos is set for 7 p.m. at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The game can be heard on the Husker Sports Network and is also available worldwide on Huskers.com.