Stats & coverage � Box score

Jan. 7, 2003
 
Simms' Career Night Paces Huskers to Win
 
Lincoln – Corey Simms scored 14 of his career-high 20 points in the first half, as Nebraska tuned up for Saturday’s Big 12 opener against Kansas with a 70-60 win over Lipscomb in front of a crowd of 5,795 Tuesday evening at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

Simms, who had never scored more than 10 points in a game, hit all six of his shots from the floor in the first half, helping the Huskers, who improve to 8-5 on the season with their third straight win, build a 17-point halftime lead before cruising to the victory.

A 6-5 guard from St. Louis, Simms, who had scored double figures in each of NU’s last two games, doubled his previous career best of 10 points, hitting 8-of-11 from the floor, grabbing eight rebounds, including five on the offensive glass, and dishing out four assists in 35 minutes of action.

The sophomore scored six of his first half points in a 17-2 spurt in the first seven minutes, as Nebraska, which has won six of its seven home games, built an early 20-6 bulge.

The Bisons, who dropped to 3-12 on the year, climbed back into the contest midway through the first half, as Matt Jarboe capped an 11-2 Lipscomb run with a pair of three pointers, the second of which sliced the Husker advantage to 25-19 with 8:13 left in the half.

That would be as close as Lipscomb would get, as Simms scored half of Nebraska’s points in a 14-3 spurt, giving the Huskers a 39-22 lead into the break.

Nebraska was never threatened in the second half, enjoying a double-figure lead throughout the second half, as all 14 players who dressed saw action. The Huskers led by as many as 19 before Lipscomb ended the game with a 10-2 run for the final 10-point margin.

NU held the visitors to 35.0 percent shooting from the floor, allowing one field goal in 10:17 stretch, and enjoyed a 46-37 advantage on the glass.

Simms was one of four Huskers that finished in double figures in the win. Sophomore center John Turek posted his second double double of the year with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Andrew Drevo and Brian Conklin chipped in 10 points apiece.

James Poindexter paced four Bisons in double figures with 12 points in the losing effort.

Nebraska was without starting guard Nate Johnson, who missed the game with the flu. Johnson averaged 18.5 ppg in two games last week, including a career-high 25 in an overtime win over Denver last Saturday.

The Huskers begin conference play this Saturday, Jan. 11, when NU travels to Kansas to face the No. 18/17 Jayhawks. Tipoff is set for 12:45 p.m. and the game will be televised regionally as part of the Big 12 Regional package. Check back with Huskers.com later in the week for a list of stations in the state that will be carrying Saturday’s game.

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Source: University of Nebraska Athletic Dept.