• Box Score

* * *

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Who was that basketball team dressed in red Wednesday night that raced up the floor, shot the ball quickly and set a season-high in accuracy?

It was last-place Nebraska, and the change of pace nearly unloosened Kansas State's hold on second place in the Big 12.

The Huskers scored their most points in a Big 12 game in five seasons. They were tied with No. 7 KSU at the “Octagon of Doom” — sold-out Bramlage Coliseum — with 32 seconds to play.

They were still within two points and had the ball with 24 seconds left. Senior guard Sek Henry then drove down the lane for a potential tying shot, but was stripped. NU freshman guard Ray Gallegos grabbed the ball.

But his cross-court pass sailed out of control with five seconds left, allowing the Wildcats to escape 91-87.

For Nebraska (13-13, 1-10), it was the fourth time in Big 12 play it has held a second-half lead against a ranked opponent and lost.

“We're frustrated,'' said point guard Lance Jeter, who had 12 points, 12 assists and four steals. “But we're going to keep playing until there are no more games left.

“That's coach Doc's motto. And that's our motto. We're going to give everybody our best shot.''

Nebraska, last in the Big 12 in scoring at 57.9 points a game, went far away from its normal plodding pace. The shot clock got to single digits on just five possessions.

The result?

• A season-high 58.3 percent (28 of 48) shooting after hitting 31.6 percent and 28.1 percent in the previous two games.

• A season-high of 14 made 3-pointers out of 21 (66.7 percent) after hitting 6 of 39 the previous two games.

• Four players in double figures, led by Ryan Anderson's 22 points, after having none in the previous game, a 40-point loss at No. 14 Texas.

• Two first-half leads of 10 points (29-19, 31-21) and a second-half advantage of nine (51-42).

Coach Doc Sadler disagreed that his offense was quicker than normal.

“I don't think we played faster,'' he said. “We probably shot a little bit faster. We got into some baseline screens. That's what got us started.

“As far as the pace . . . I mean, if we did, it wasn't something that was designed.''

What drew more of Sadler's attention was Nebraska's regular bugaboo _ one long scoring drought, and Kansas State's role in it.

This time, it lasted 6 minutes, 43 seconds of the second half. The Huskers, up 51-42 when it started, trailed 57-51 when it ended after going 0 of 9 from the field, 0 of 2 on free throws and committing four turnovers.

Sadler, hounding the officials over contact not being called equally at both ends, drew a technical foul when it was 51-51. The ball bounced to the NU bench, and Sadler caught it and slammed it to the floor.

When asked if he noticed the K-State defensive intensity pick up during that stretch, Sadler narrowed his eyes and replied:

“I sensed a lot of stuff, if that's what you want to call it. They went inside, and we fouled them. Things changed.''

Still, Nebraska kept firing against the Wildcats (21-4, 8-3).

Down 77-67 with 3:00 left, the Huskers made six consecutive 3-pointers and two free throws _ topping K-State's 10 straight free throws in the same stretch _ to tie the game at 87. Anderson's 24-footer for the tie with 32 seconds left KSU fans gasping.

Jeter then got tangled up at midcourt with Kansas State's Chris Merriewether, drawing his fifth foul. Merriewether, who had shot just 13 free throws this season, made 2 of 2 with 24 seconds left for the win.

Whether Nebraska's quicker offensive pace continues remains to be seen.

“That's something we can do,'' Jeter said, “but that's not our biggest strength. So we tried to 50-50 it. If we've got a chance to run, we're going to do it.

“That's what we did tonight. We just came up a little short.''

Contact the writer:

444-1024, lee.barfknecht@owh.com

« Sports - Big Red Today

Share