Huskers Breeze by Chicago State

Lincoln --- Junior point guard Lance Jeter led all scorers with 13 points and the Cornhuskers hit 55.6 percent from the floor as Nebraska cruised by Chicago State 74-39 on Thursday at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

Nebraska jumped out quick at the start of each half, posting an 11-1 run to open the game and an 18-1 run to start the second period. The Huskers used a scorching offense that, other than six minutes midway through the first period, was able to produce consistently, giving Nebraska its third straight game shooting at least 50 percent from the field.

The Huskers hit 25-of-45 from the floor, including a blistering 14-of-22 (63.6 percent) in the second period while the defense manhandled the Cougars. Nebraska allowed CSU to hit just 24.2 percent (15-of-62) from the field, including holding them without a 3-pointer in 11 attempts. Over the past two games, NU's opponents are a combined 1-for-21 from beyond the arc.

Jeter led three scorers in double figures as he hit 5-of-7 shots from the floor, mostly on driving layups to the basket. He also connected on his only 3-point attempt, helping the Huskers hit 7-of-16 from long range as a team.

Along with Jeter, Brandon Richardson scored in double figures for the second time this season with 10 points while Adrien Coleman came off the bench to score a season-high 10 points on 3-of-5 shooting. Coleman, who hit both of his 3-point attempts, led three players off the bench with at least nine points apiece. His previous season best was two points in the Huskers' last home game against Texas-Pan American.

Joining him were Myles Holley with a season-high nine points while Jorge Brian Diaz added nine points to go with a team season-best 12 rebounds. As a squad, the Huskers held a 37-9 advantage in bench scoring while adding a 16-7 margin in points off turnovers.

The Cornhuskers, however,  had 17 miscues of their own and while they led the charge on the glass with a season-high 41 rebounds, they allowed 37 boards, including 23 for Chicago State on the offensive end.

The Huskers came out strong, running to an 11-1 lead before the Cougars hit their first field goal of the period. Carl Montgomery ended the field goal drought for Chicago State at just over five minutes when he punched in two points to cut the deficit to eight. Nebraska continued to smother the CSU offense, keeping the Cougars to just 3-of-21 shooting before the Cougars switched defenses, halting NU's offensive progress.

The Cougars' zone affected the Huskers, keeping them without a field goal for more than six minutes until Diaz's basket with 8:32 left in the half. Diaz came off the bench and was a force, scoring nine points and adding seven rebounds in the first half alone before finishing with nine points and 12 rebounds on the game.

Along with Diaz, Holley was effective against the zone, hitting a pair of mid-range jumpers and knocking in six points in the opening half for his highest scoring game of the season.

Nebraska ran into the locker room with a 30-14 lead after holding CSU to 18.8 percent (6-of-32) shooting in the opening frame. It was much of the same in the second half as NU went on to an 18-1 run over the first eight minutes of the frame, and breezed to a high lead of 39 points with four minutes to go in the game.

Husker coach Doc Sadler cleared the bench at the end of the game as 13 players saw action with 11 getting into the scoring column. It was the fifth straight home win this season and fifth straight home game scoring at least 70 points.

The Nebraska defense allowed just 39 points, tying for the 10th fewest points allowed by a Husker squad since 1947. This is the third time a Sadler-coached team has made the list, joining the 2007 squad allowed just 28 points to North Carolina Central and 37 to Savanah State that same season.

Nebraska makes a quick turnaround as it returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 12, when it plays host to Oregon State at the Devaney Center. The Huskers and Beavers will tip off at 7 p.m. and the game can be seen in the state on FS Midwest and around the nation on ESPN FullCourt and ESPN360.com. Husker fans can also listen to the radio call on the IMG Husker Sports Radio Network.