Stats & coverage � Box score

Dec. 27, 2002
 
Huskers Rally From 10-Point Halftime Deficit to Defeat UCSB, 60-57
 
TEMPE, Ariz. ----- Sophomore guard Jake Muhleisen scored a team-high 15 points and junior forward Andrew Drevo added his fourth consecutive double-double as the Nebraska men's basketball team rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit to earn 60-57 come-from-behind victory over UC Santa Barbara in the first game of the ASU/azcentral.com Hoops Classic here Friday.

With NU trailing 40-30 at the intermission, the Huskers turned up the defense and Muhleisen hit three three-pointers and a layup as Nebraska (5-4) took the lead, 47-46, with 10:55 to play, its first advantage since a 2-0 lead just six seconds into the contest. UCSB hit just 21.4 percent (6-of-28) from the floor in the second period after opening the contest by hitting 56.0 percent (14-of-25) in the opening frame. The Gauchos hit 6-of-10 from three-point range in the first stanza, before being limited to 1-of-10 from behind the arc in the second period.

After trading baskets for the next five minutes, freshman Jason Dourisseau hit a three-pointer to tie it at 54-54 with 3:41 to play. Dourssiseau came back with a basket a minute later to give the Huskers the lead for good, 56-54.

Following a Muhleisen layup, UCSB’s Nick Jones hit a three-pointer to cut the NU margin to one, 58-57, with 1:43 to play. The Gauchos (3-6) then set up the press which the Huskers easily broke, giving senior Brennon Clemmons an uncontested layup to put Nebraska ahead by three with 1:33 left. UCSB got the ball back with 14 seconds remaining but could not get a good look as Nebraska held on for its second victory away from Lincoln this season.

Drevo kept Nebraska in it early, putting up 11 points in the first period, with four rebounds, four assists and four blocks. The Lincoln native added eight more boards and two points in the second frame, picking up his fourth consecutive double-double. Drevo is the first Husker since Venson Hamilton in 1998-99 to record four straight double-double efforts.

UCSB went up by five three times in the first 10 minutes of the contest, only to see the Huskers bounce back and cut the margin to a single basket each time. The Guachos used a 5-0 run twice to open double-figure leads late in the period, the last time coming over the final 1:37 of the half.

Nebraska continued to hit the boards, as it took a 35-30 advantage on the glass, marking the sixth straight game NU outrebounded its opponent. The Huskers added a team season-high 18 assists, with Drevo leading the way with a season-high six assists. Sophomore Corey Simms added seven points and four assists while Dourisseau finished with nine points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals.

The Huskers return to action looking for the tournament title on Saturday, Dec. 28 against host Arizona State, a 79-52 winner over Bucknell Friday. The game will begin 30 minutes after the first game (approximately 8:20 p.m. CST) and will be heard live on the Pinnacle Sports Network.

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Source: University of Nebraska Athletic Dept.