| Stats
& coverage � Box score |
Nov. 21, 2002
Nebraska Shuts Down Gents in 68-45 Victory
Fairbanks, Alaska - Sophomore guard Corey Simms came off the bench to score a career-high tying 10 points to lead Nebraska over Centenary, 68-45, in the first round of the Top of the World Classic here Thursday.
Simms’ effort came on 3-of-6 shooting from the field, while going 4-of-4 from the free throw line. Simms also tied junior forward Brian Conklin for the team high in rebounds with six.
Nebraska’s defensive effort shut the Gents down early, as Centenary managed just two field goals in the first 15:37 of the first half. Centenary shot just 22.7 percent in the opening frame, and finished the game hitting just 20 percent (10-of-50) from the floor for the game.
Senior guard Brennon Clemmons got Nebraska out to a quick start, taking the opening tip down the court for a layup with just four seconds off the clock. After a three-pointer by Centenary’s Andrew Wisnieski, junior guard Nate Johnson scored with 18:08 to play in the opening frame and Nebraska never trailed the rest of the game.
The Gents kept it close early in the game by converting on 15-of-18 (83.3 percent) free throws in the first half, as Nebraska took a 39-27 lead into the locker room. After the Gents’ Rickey Evans hit a pair of free throws to make it 39-29, Nebraska used an 11-2 run keyed by a layup and three-pointer by Clemmons to open a double-figure lead, 50-31.
Simms led 10 players in the scoring column, with Johnson, Clemmons and sophomore guard Jake Muhleisen each added nine points. Nebraska shot 46.6 percent (27-of-58) from the floor and held a 13-3 advantage in assists, but was outrebounded 40-38 by the Gents’ smaller lineup.
Nebraska returns to
action Saturday, Nov. 23, in the second round of the Top of the World
Classic against host Alaska-Fairbanks. The Huskers and Nanooks, which
have met on the hardwood just once before, will tip off at 9 p.m. CST
and the game can be heard live on the Pinnacle Sports Network.
Source: University of Nebraska Athletic Dept.