Stats & coverage � Box score � OWH

Nov. 23, 2002
 
Huskers Fall To Alaska-Fairbanks, 64-61, at Top of the World Classic
 
Fairbanks, Alaska - Guard Jake Muhleisen scored a career-high 28 points to lead all scorers, but it wasn’t enough as Nebraska fell to host Alaska-Fairbanks, 64-61, in the second round of the Top of the World Classic here Saturday. With the loss, the Huskers move into the third-place game at 4 p.m. (CST) Sunday.

A native of Lincoln, Muhleisen led the Huskers from the start, scoring 14 of NU’s 24 first-half points. He finished the game 10-of-16 shooting from the floor, while adding a career-high five three-pointers. Muhleisen added five rebounds and three steals in the contest.

Muhleisen hit a pair of three-pointers to give Nebraska a 14-12 lead with 13:17 before a trey by Steve Towne gave UAF a 15-14 lead with 12:34 to play. After trading baskets, the Nanooks extended the lead to 10, 34-24, at the intermission as Nebraska hit just three baskets in the final 11:30 of the opening half.

Energized after halftime, the Huskers opened the second period with a 10-2 run to cut the lead to two, 36-34. Junior Nate Johnson and Muhleisen hit consecutive three-pointers to pull within one, 41-40 with 14:30 to play before Muhleisen tied it at 43-all just a minute later.

Nebraska cut the lead to one point, 60-59, on Brennon Clemmons’ layup with 2:52 to play before UAF hit four free throws in the final 1:35 to seal the victory and advance to the championship game.

Junior Andrew Drevo added nine points and six rebounds while Johnson and sophomore Corey Simms each added seven. Nebraska outrebounded UAF 33-28, but were unable to slow the hot-handed Nanooks, as Alaska-Fairbanks hit 47.1 percent (24-of-51) from the floor in the contest.

Source: University of Nebraska Athletic Dept.