Huskers Begin New Year with 77-46 Win Over North Dakota

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Postgame Audio - Head Coach Doc Sadler

Lincoln - Sophomores Eshaunte Jones and Brandon Ubel each produced a team-high 11 points to pace for Huskers in double figures, as Nebraska rolled to a 77-46 victory over North Dakota Monday night at the Devaney Center.

The Huskers (11-2) have now won nine straight games, the program's longest winning streak since the 1994-95 season, and were effective on both ends of the floor in playing their first game in 13 days.

Nebraska shot 55 percent from the floor, including strong efforts from Ubel, Jorge Brian Diaz and Andre Almeida. The trio combined to hit 12 of 16 shots from the floor, including a 5-of-6 effort from Diaz. Almeida and Diaz had 10 points apiece, as the Huskers held a 34-14 advantage in points from the paint. It was the fourth straight game NU shot above 50 percent.

Nebraska was also solid on the perimeter, hitting seven 3-pointers, including three by Jones, while holding North Dakota (5-9) to 27.6 percent shooting overall - 24.1 percent from long range - and 46 points - 14 below their season average.  Jones, who reached double figures for the second time this year, hit 4-of-7 shots from the floor in the win.

The Huskers stretched a 16-point halftime lead to as much as 34 with 1:36 remaining when Ubel hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key. The Overland Park, Kan., native paced NU in the second half with nine points in just nine minutes of play. Eleven Huskers found the scoring column, including junior guard Kamyron Brown, who returned to the floor for the first time since the season opener Nov. 12.

The Huskers took control with a 26-8 spurt covering both halves to turn a 26-18 lead into a commanding 26-point bulge.

Jones scored all eight of his first-half points in a 12-2 run to close the half with a 36-20 lead before the Huskers began the second half on a 16-6 run to stretch its lead to double up the Fighting Sioux at 52-26 with 10:25 remaining.  North Dakota struggled offensively, connecting on just 28 percent of its attempts (16-of-58), including 24 percent in the second half. Almeida scored six of his 10 points in the second half while also adding a team-high four blocks.

NU took control early on, as Diaz keyed a 12-2 spurt with two baskets, helping Nebraska turn a one-point deficit into a 20-11 lead after a Toney McCray 3-pointer with 11:27 left in the half. North Dakota kept it close and was within 26-18 after a Josh Schuler 3-pointer, but a basket by Almeida began the Huskers' surge to close the half.

Nebraska has just one non-conference game remaining this Wednesday when it hosts Savannah State at 7 p.m.. The Big 12 opener is Saturday against Iowa State with a 7 p.m. tipoff from the Devaney Center. Tickets for both games can be purchased on Huskers.com or by calling 1-800-8-BIG-RED.