Behind 20 points and 16 rebounds from Rienk Mast, the Nebraska men’s basketball team overpowered Florida A&M, 81-54, Thursday evening at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Mast became the first Husker since 2008 to have at least 20 points and 15 rebounds in a game, as the 6-foot-10 forward collected his 19th career double-double.
Nebraska (2-0) showed a balanced attack with three players in double figures. Freshman Eli Rice came off the bench for a season-high 16 points, including a trio of 3-pointers, while Brice Williams had 16 points and six rebounds.
The Huskers enjoyed a 55-35 edge on the glass against the Rattlers and held Florida A&M (0-2) to just 30.3 percent shooting, including 4-of-20 from long range.
Nebraska shot just 41 percent from the field but hit 10 3-pointers and went 26-of-35 from the foul line.
Nebraska trailed 8-7 before Mast ignited a 12-0 spurt with consecutive 3-pointers, as the Huskers held the Rattlers scoreless for nearly five minutes and pushed the lead to 19-8 after Williams’ 3-point play. A pair of Ja’Derryus Eatmon free throws ended the spurt and FAMU was within 22-12 before Rice and Josiah Allick combined for seven straight points to push the lead to 29-12. Nebraska led by as many as 20 in the first half before taking a 41-25 lead into the locker room.
Nebraska opened the second half with a 19-6 scoring run, capped by three-straight 3-pointers, to build a 60-31 advantage after a Williams’ 3-pointer with 12:39 left and cruised to a 27-point win.
K’Jei Parker led the Rattlers (0-2) with 13 points, while Morrell Schramm added 10 points.
The Huskers return to action on Monday, Nov. 13 as Nebraska hosts Rider at 7 p.m. to open the Cornhusker Classic. The game will be broadcast on BTN with radio coverage provided by Huskers Radio Network. Tickets are available by visiting Huskers.com/tickets or calling the Nebraska Athletic Ticket Office during business hours (Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.).