Cheatham Leads Huskers Past Washington State

Lincoln – Haanif Cheatham's 19 points led five Huskers in double figures, as Nebraska used a strong second half to pull away from Washington State, 82-71, Monday evening.

Cheatham had 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting and seven rebounds, as Nebraska shot 64 percent in the second half, including 5-of-7 from 3-point range. Jervay Green had 14 of his 16 points after halftime, as Nebraska (3-2) out-scored Washington State, 48-34 in the second half.

Dachon Burke Jr. and Kevin Cross added 14 points while Cam Mack tallied 10 points, eight rebounds and six assists for Nebraska, which will meet George Mason on Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. (CT). George Mason downed Old Dominion, 60-53, earlier Monday.

Nebraska trailed 40-36 early in the second half before Green scored eight of his points in a 13-2 Husker spurt that gave the Huskers a 49-42 lead with 13:47 left.

Washington State (2-3) pulled to within 56-51 before Nebraska put the game away with a 13-3 surge behind six points from Cheatham, taking a 59-53 lead following a Cross 3-pointer with 7:22 remaining and led by double figures the rest of the contest.

CJ Elleby lead Washington State with 27 points and six boards, while Isaac Bonton totaled 17 points and seven boards.

In the first half, the Huskers built an early lead, only to see Washington State battle back and eventually take a 37-34 lead into the locker room. Both teams shot 44 percent in the first half, but NU was unable to take advantage at the line, hitting just 2-of-7 from the charity stripe.

Nebraska got off to a quick start, hitting eight of its first 12 shots of the field, in taking an early 20-14 lead, as Burke had seven of his nine first-half points in the spurt.

Nebraska led 25-21 before the Cougars ran off 10 unanswered points, taking a 31-25 lead after a Bonton 3-pointer with 6:44 left in the half. The Huskers fought back and got to within 33-31 after a Burke layup, but the Cougars stretched the lead back to 37-31 after a 3-pointer from Jervae Robinson.

Nebraska eventually closed the margin to three before halftime and took over in the opening moments of the second half.