Free throws help Nebraska slide past Bethune-Cookman

Field Level Media|published: Sat 9th November, 22:32 2024

Nov 9, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Connor Essegian (0) drives against Bethune-Cookman Wildcats forward Daniel Rouzan (23) during the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Juwan Gary had 11 points and nine rebounds and Nebraska overcame a sloppy performance to beat visiting Bethune-Cookman 63-58 in a nonconference game Saturday night in Lincoln, Neb.

Brice Williams added 10 for the Cornhuskers, who shot 34.5 percent from the field, made only 4 of 22 3-pointers and turned it over 18 times. That was still better than Bethune-Cookman, which shot 35.5 percent overall and turned it away 22 times, which Nebraska turned into 21 points.

Nebraska (2-0) had its biggest advantage at the line, going 21-of-26, while Bethune-Cookman (0-2) was just 5-of-7.

The Cornhuskers led 29-24 at halftime despite shooting only 25.8 percent, but after making only 1 of 10 3-point attempts in the first half, Nebraska drained two in the first two minutes of the second half to build a 35-26 lead. The margin grew to 46-30 with 13:55 left thanks to a 9-0 run.

Bethune-Cookman followed that with an 8-0 run that featured all of its made free throws for the game, and a 7-0 run got the Wildcats within 51-48 with 6:49 remaining. But they didn't score again until the 2:30 mark, with Nebraska having built a 55-48 lead.

Gianni Hunt, who led Bethune-Cookman with 10 points, cut Nebraska's lead to 59-56 with a 3-pointer with 33 seconds left, but the Wildcats couldn't get closer.

Connor Essegian and Williams each hit a pair of free throws down the stretch for the Cornhuskers to help secure the win.

It was a sloppy start, as both teams turned it over six times in the first eight minutes. Bethune-Cookman was able to build a 12-6 lead during that time, but Nebraska went ahead 15-14 on a pair of free throws from Williams with 7:43 left in the first half.

The Cornhuskers missed 13 of 14 shots at one point, yet still built a 25-18 advantage with 2:49 to go before the half on a Braxton Meah dunk. Meah finished with nine points and four rebounds.

Bethune-Cookman continues a season-opening, three-game road trip with a visit Tuesday to Purdue-Fort Wayne, while Nebraska hosts Fairleigh Dickinson on Wednesday.

--Field Level Media