Stats & coverage � Box score

Dec. 31, 2002
 
Johnson Carries Huskers to 63-60 Victory
 
Nebraska postgame notes:

** Junior college transfer Nate Johnson finished in double figures for the fourth time in five games, scoring 12 points, including 10 points in the final 2:45. He scored 10 of NU’s final 11 points, blocked a shot and recorded the game-ending steal for the Huskers, who trailed by three points with three minutes remaining.

** Freshman guard Jason Dourisseau had his best game of the season, as he finished with a season-high 19 points, including 12 in the first half. Dourisseau’s previous season-high was 12 against Ball State and he had just 21 points in the past six games combined before breaking out today. He also played a season-high 34 minutes before fouling out.

** Sophomore guard Corey Simms set a career high for the second time in three games when he collected five assists, including four in the first half. Simms had four assists last Friday against UC Santa Barbara, and now has 11 in the past three games after gaining eight in NU’s first eight games. He also had a solid day offensively, as he tied his career high with 10 points on 4-of-11 shooting from the floor and added six rebounds.

** The Eagles hit eight of their first 10 shots from the floor before being limited to 3-of-17 for the rest of the half. In all, the Eagles shot just 40.7 percent from the floor, becoming the eighth opponent in 11 games to be held under 45 percent from the floor.

** Junior forward Andrew Drevo tied his season high with two steals, finishing with eight points and eight rebounds in 33 minutes.

** The 11-point deficit was the second-largest deficit that NU has overcome this season. NU trailed by 18 to UC Santa Barbara last Friday before pulling out a 60-57 victory. Nebraska is now 2-1 in games decided by three points or less this season

** There were six lead changes and seven ties, as the largest lead by either team in the second half was seven points.

** Nebraska improved to 4-1 at home this season with the only loss coming to No. 15 Creighton.

Nebraska Head Coach Barry Collier
Opening Statement
"I certainly felt Eastern Washington played hard enough and well enough to win the game. Nate Johnson overcame three strikeouts in the first half to come back and put us ahead in the end. As long as he is trying to get it done we can use him. Jason Dourisseau got his offense going in the first half."

On Nate Johnson making a turn
"As long as he is going to turn in the right direction. He didn’t play well for the first 80 percent of the game. We had some fouls and needed him to play. Based on what Nate Johnson can do, you want to give him a chance."

On the win
"Eastern Washington is a favorite to win a lot of games. They have a solid team. They have road wins at Washington, Boise State, and San Diego State and almost beat Gonzaga. They have some guys that can shoot the ball. Merritt, their point guard, did a good job for them. Any win is a welcome one."

On the end of the game
"We thought they would push the ball up and look for the three. They penetrated really hard. John (Turek) rotated down and there was enough traffic down there to get the ball out."

Freshman guard Jason Dourisseau
On scoring a career high 19 points:
"I felt pretty comfortable out there. I was taking what the defense gave me and was able to play well. Obviously that gives me some confidence. I’m just going to go play hard and work at it every time out there."

On the Huskers having to come back from early deficit again:
"We started slow and that was what hurt us early. Coach talked to us about it and we were able to come back the other day against UC Santa Barbara and then today. We have to be ready. I have to work on knowing when to drive, when to shoot, timing, defense, just everything."

On the play of Nate Johnson at the end:
"I told him when we were leaving the floor that that was the stuff All-Americans do. He was as good as advertised on that series."

Junior guard Nate Johnson
On not making his impact felt till the final two minutes:
"In the first half coach pulled me aside and got after me, telling me I needed to play harder and keep playing and fighting for my team. All of that came into play in the second half."

On taking over at the end of the game:
"I was just on a groove in the game. Jake (Muhleisen) had fouled out and all of us knew that we needed someone to step up. I thought that everyone out there played hard and did it."

On NU clearing out for him to drive:
"That was more my style in junior college, but if I play hard on both ends of the court, it can happen offensively here too. I just have to learn when to do it."

Eastern Washington Head Coach Ray Giacoletti
Opening Statement
"We came out and played with energy today. We did a good job of switching defenses against them and keeping them on their heels. We did a great job of executing down the stretch and getting open looks for a chance to win the game. Our guys did a good of getting us the opportunity to win on the road against a Big 12 opponent."

On Nebraska's Nate Johnson
"He did a great job of getting a lot of one-on-one situations. He got to the middle when he needed to and finished the plays."

On Eastern Washington’s Forward Marc Axton
"Marc did a great job both offensively and defensively today. He did a good job of holding Nebraska’s Andrew Drevo to only eight points. Offensively, it was good to see him get some shots and contribute on the boards."

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Source: University of Nebraska Athletic Dept.