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Category: Sports

Kansas State ends non-conference play with easy win over Saint Louis

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riggertKansasStateMANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Nearly one year ago to the day, Bruce Weber walked off the court at Bramlage Coliseum with his head down following back-to-back home losses to Texas Southern and Georgia as Kansas State concluded non-conference play 7-6.

On Tuesday, Weber had a smile on his face as he walked toward the locker room. Later, he used the words “proud” and “fun” to describe his new-look roster, which has jumped out to 10 wins while nearly knocking off ranked foes North Carolina and Texas A&M in the process.

“That was a turning point in the wrong direction last year,” Weber said. “We did recover a little bit and won same games to start the league, but we’re a much better team now. I’ve said it, they enjoy each other and it’s more fun to coach.”

Their latest win proves as much. Wesley Iwundu scored 13 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and passed around 4 assists, and Kansas State used a dominant second half to top Saint Louis 75-47 and enter conference play with a 10-2 record.

Kamau Stokes finished with 11 points and Justin Edwards 10 to go along with 6 rebounds. Seven players finished with 7 points or more.

The Wildcats have now reached 10 wins in non-conference play for the ninth time in the last 10 seasons and the first since the 2013-14 season.

“We have a clearer mind,” Iwundu said. “We’re not dealing with stuff off the court, away from basketball (like last year). We’re focused straight on basketball, and I think that will help this team focus moving forward in Big 12 play.”

The first half was marred by sloppy play as the two teams combined for 19 fouls and 17 turnovers. The final 20 minutes were dominated by Kansas State as Saint Louis, 5-7, shot just 25 percent from the field in the second half, including 2 of 14 from beyond the arc.

An Edwards 3-pointer with 7:20 left in the opening period gave the Wildcats their first lead of the game after opening 7 of 17 from the field. Stephen Hurt converted a 3-pointer with 54 seconds remaining as Kansas State closed the first half on a 6-0 run to take a 35-28 halftime lead.

An 8-2 run to begin the second half gave Kansas State its first double-digit lead of the game. The lead stretched on back-to-back buckets coming out of a timeout with 7:28 remaining in the game. Saint Louis managed just seven points from that point on, as Kansas State used a 21-3 run in the final four minutes, including 6 of 7 field goals, to grab the 28-point win.

“We still don’t have mentality for turnovers,” Saint Louis coach Jim Crews said. “That’s the Achilles’ heel of our team. A lot of times to start the second half we’re not very effective.”

The Billikens were led by Milik Yarbrough with 12 points and Ash Yacoubou with 10 points.

“We took a big step today,” Iwundu said. “We got a few days before it officially starts, so these next days will be important to tune up for the press that West Virginia will throw at us. We’re going in the right direction.”

TIP-INS

Kansas State: Tuesday’s win was the 50th for Wildcats coach Bruce Weber at Bramlage Coliseum. He is 50-7 all-time at Kansas State when playing at home. .The Wildcats have used the same lineup in all 12 games leading up to conference play.

Saint Louis: Return four starters from a team that posted an 11-21 record last season. .Saint Louis opened the season 4-0 and has since lost seven of its last eight games.

UP NEXT

Kansas State: Home against West Virginia on Saturday

Saint Louis: At Rhode Island on Saturday

— Associated Press —

No. 23 Mizzou women defeat Charlotte to tie school record 13-game win streak

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riggertMissouriCOLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) – Playing in front of 6,154 fans at Mizzou Arena, Mizzou Women’s Basketball (13-0) extended its best start in program history and matched the longest win streak in program history on Tuesday evening with an 88-71 win over Charlotte (7-4). Four Tigers scored in double figures, led by junior forward Jordan Frericks (Quincy, Ill.), who posted her 20th double-double of her career with 16 points and 15 rebounds.

“I’m appreciative of all the fans that showed up tonight. It was an incredible atmosphere,” head coach Robin Pingeton said. “I’m really happy for our players to finish the nonconference schedule 13-0. It’s really exciting for us. I can assure you that we’re nowhere near satisfied with the big picture this season.”

Joining Frericks in double digits was junior guard Sierra Michaelis (Mercer, Mo.) with 14 points, freshman forward Cierra Porter (Columbia, Mo.) with 13 points, and senior guard Juanita Robinson (Chicago, Ill.) with 12. Porter was one rebound away from a double-double, finishing with nine boards. Redshirt junior guard Lindsey Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) led the team in assists with five.

The Tigers dominated play inside the paint, outscoring Charlotte 38-24 inside the paint and outrebounding the 49ers, 42-31. Mizzou shot better than 50 percent from the field for the fifth time this season, converting 33-of-65 field goals (50.8 percent)

After an evenly matched first quarter, the Tigers trailed the 49ers 16-15. Charlotte scored the first basket of the second quarter, but Mizzou responded with a 20-4 run to gain the lead for the remainder of the game. By the end of the run, Mizzou had a 13-point lead, 35-22, with 3:06 to play in the first half. Lindsey Cunningham and Michaelis each had five points in the run. The Tigers shot 51.6 percent from the floor (16-of-31) in the half, outscored Charlotte 29-14 in the second quarter, and led 48-30 at the break.

Frericks scored 10 of her points and snagged 10 rebounds in the second half as the Tigers maintained its double-digit lead for the entire second half. Mizzou led by as much as 21 in the game, occurring twice in the second half. The first occurrence came after a three-pointer from Robinson with 5:36 remaining in the third quarter, and the second 31 seconds later after a successful jumper from Michaelis.

Mizzou will begin SEC play in its next contest, Monday, Jan. 4 against Tennessee. Tipoff from Mizzou Arena is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Chiefs hold off Browns for ninth straight victory, clinch playoff birth

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riggertChiefsKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The atmosphere inside the Kansas City Chiefs locker room wasn’t a whole lot different Sunday than in any of their other victories during a franchise record-tying nine-game win streak.

There were high-fives and congratulations, of course. But mostly a business-like attitude.

It was hard to believe the Chiefs had just qualified for the playoffs.

“We still have one more week left and there’s still a lot to play for,” said quarterback Alex Smith, who threw two touchdown passes in a down-to-the-wire, 17-13 victory over the Cleveland Browns.

When Pittsburgh lost to Baltimore moments later, the Chiefs clinched at least a wild-card spot.

They can still win the AFC West and host a playoff game if they beat Oakland next week and the Broncos lose to Cincinnati on Monday night or in their regular-season finale against San Diego.

Hard to believe when they were 1-5.

“We didn’t panic, that’s the most important part,” Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson said. “You can’t get too far in the hole, and we got as far as you can get to still make the postseason.”

The Chiefs (10-5) jumped out to a 17-3 halftime lead Sunday, and looked as if they were cruising to an easy win. But their offense became listless over the final two quarters, just as Johnny Manziel was pumping some life into the downtrodden Browns (3-12).

The former Heisman Trophy winner led Cleveland to 10 straight points, then had them in possession for a go-ahead touchdown before his incomplete pass to the end zone on fourth down with 2:55 left.

Kansas City had a chance to put the game away, but failed to pick up a first down, and Cleveland took over at its 30 with 1:52 left and no timeouts. The Browns picked up three first downs, and Manziel hit Darius Jennings on fourth-and-10 from the 32 with time ticking away.

It ran out before Manziel could get off another snap, and he spiked his helmet in frustration.

“I’m definitely shouldering a lot for this loss,” he said. “Regardless of what our record is, where we are in the season, it (sticks) not to win, especially when our coach and the other 10 guys put us in a position to try to get us in the end zone there at the end. I just felt like I didn’t do the right thing in crunch time. I think that’s the moral of the entire story of the game.”

Manziel threw for 136 yards with an interception, but he also ran for 108 yards to give his team a chance. Isaiah Crowell added 88 yards rushing and a touchdown for the Browns.

“I talked earlier this week about planting seeds and moving forward,” Browns coach Mike Pettine said. “I think that second half was an indication. It’s one of those, you look at the scoreboard, you lost. But in some sense you just feel like you ran out of time.”

The Chiefs looked as if they’d make this one easy in the first half, driving downfield for a TD on their opening drive. Smith zipped a pass to Jeremy Maclin between three defenders for a score.

Kansas City added a field goal moments later for a 10-0 lead.

Travis Coons kicked the first of his two field goals for Cleveland, and an interception of Smith gave the Browns life. But two plays later, Manziel was picked by Marcus Peters, and the rookie returned his eighth of the season deep into Cleveland territory. Smith then connected with Travis Kelce with 32 seconds left to help the Chiefs take a 17-3 lead into the break.

Then the Chiefs got stagnant. And the Browns made things interesting.

His scrambling ability was critical to a nine-play, 82-yard drive to begin the second half, and Crowell finished it by racing 10 yards for a touchdown.

Then, after forcing a quick punt, Cleveland put together a grinding 21-play drive that took up more than 12 minutes despite going only 62 yards. Three times, Manziel picked up a first down by scrambling on third or fourth down, though his intentional grounding penalty helped force a field goal.

The Browns had twice more advanced deep into Kansas City territory. The final time came in the game’s final seconds, when he couldn’t get the ball spiked in time.

“Johnny is one of those quarterbacks you can never get comfortable with him, Johnson said. “For a defensive guy he’s a headache. But at the end of the day, time ran out on him.”

Game notes
Maclin became the fourth wide receiver under Andy Reid to eclipse 1,000 yards receiving. He has 1,034. … Browns RB Raheem Mostert (ankle) and WR Marlon Moore (concussion) left in the second quarter and did not return. … Smith threw for 125 yards, giving him a career-best 3,330 this season. … The Chiefs only had 258 yards total offense.

— Associated Press —

Tigers’ rally comes up short in Braggin’ Rights game against Illinois

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riggertMissouriST. LOUIS (AP) — There was no panic when the shots refused to fall for 9-1/2 minutes and the 20-point lead dwindled to just five.

Illinois survived the drought by turning up the intensity on the other end.

“To be honest, I don’t think we took that many bad shots,” said Malcolm Hill, who had 21 points in a 68-63 victory over Missouri in the annual Braggin’ Rights game on Wednesday night. “We didn’t tie that to our defense, and I think we did a great job sticking with it.”

Hill drove the baseline for a basket that ended the scoreless stretch and put Illinois up by seven with 6:52 to go, and hit a 3-pointer at the shot clock buzzer with just over five minutes left. Kendrick Nunn hit two free throws to clinch it with seven seconds remaining and Hill yanked off his jersey during the post-game celebration, mimicking the move by Rayvonte Rice last year after hitting the winning 3-pointer as time expired.

“The first 25 minutes we played about as well as we’ve played all year at both ends of the floor,” coach John Groce said. “The thing I was most proud about was our defense, by far.”

Nunn had 19 points and season-best 11 rebounds for his first double-double for Illinois (8-5), which has won five in a row overall and three straight in the neutral site series.

Wes Clark had a career best 21 points with four 3-pointers for Missouri (5-6), which has lost three in a row. Kevin Puryear added 12 points and Russell Woods had seven points and career-high 10 rebounds.

“We’ll take the good from it,” Clark said. “We know we have some fight.”

Illinois led 50-30 with 16:13 to go but missed 11 straight shots and three free throws while Missouri climbed back into it with a 15-0 run, including seven points from Clark.

“I tell him he has to be our go-to guy and tonight he brought it,” Woods said.

Nunn scored eight points — including back-to-back dunks — in a 14-2 run that put Illinois in control at 35-21 with 3:39 to go in the first half. A 9-3 run to open the second half seemingly put it out of reach.

TIP-INS

There were thousands of empty seats, especially in the upper bowl on the north side of the Scottrade Center, for what annually has been the toughest ticket in town. Enthusiasm waned with the two schools combining for a 12-10 record and neither ranked for the second straight year, although those in attendance included Hall of Fame manager Whitey Herzog, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon and Missouri football coaches present and past, Barry Odom and Gary Pinkel.

Anderson said he had a lot more to worry about than attendance, but added:

“It’s the worst possible day of the year to play, Dec. 23,” Anderson said. “It’s still a great atmosphere — they lost five games, we lost five games, so maybe it didn’t have that luster.”

AS ADVERTISED

Illinois is dependent on Hill and Nunn, who entered averaging 18.5 and 18.4 points, and both delivered. Michael Finke added 16 points with a team-high three 3-pointers for the Fighting Illini, who overcame 40 percent shooting and a 43-32 rebounding deficit.

“When situations get tough, we’re looked upon to get the team going and keep the team together,” Hill said.

UP NEXT

Illinois: Dec. 30 at home against Michigan in Big Ten opener.

Missouri: Tuesday at home against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

— Associated Press —

Mizzou reinstates QB Maty Mauk for 2016 season

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riggertMissouriST. LOUIS (AP) — Missouri has reinstated Maty Mauk, the quarterback who was twice suspended in 2015.

New coach Barry Odom confirmed the move Wednesday before the annual Braggin’ Rights basketball game between Illinois and Missouri.

“I believe in guys having opportunities and chances,” Odom said.

Odom said he was convinced after meeting with Mauk that he was excited about rejoining the program and wanted to make it official before players left for the holiday break. Mauk has one year of eligibility remaining and could contend with freshman Drew Lock for the starting job next season. He said the two had “long talks” the last few days.

“I wanted to hear really what he wanted. Did he want to be here? Did he want to get his degree? Does he want to play football?” Odom said.

The first suspension was for a violation of program policies in late September and then-coach Gary Pinkel declined to state the reason for the second suspension.

Missouri was 5-7 in Pinkel’s final season. He resigned a few months after being diagnosed with cancer. The Tigers begin winter workouts Jan. 18.

“We need to go to work, and the depth chart will take care of itself,” Odom said.

Mauk is 17-5 as the starter and had six touchdown passes and four interceptions in four games in 2015.

“Expectations for that position, fair or not, that’s life,” Odom said. “We’ll take it a day at a time, see where it ends up.”

— Associated Press —

Five Chiefs named to 2016 Pro Bowl

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riggertChiefsKANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Football League announced on Tuesday that five members of the Kansas City Chiefs have been selected to participate in the 2016 NFL Pro Bowl. The below players have earned a spot on the NFL’s Pro Bowl roster:

Eric Berry (Safety) – 4th Nomination

Tamba Hali (Linebacker) – 5th Nomination

Justin Houston (Linebacker) – 4th Nomination

Travis Kelce (Tight End) – 1st Nomination

Marcus Peters (Cornerback) – 1st Nomination

The 2016 Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday, Jan. 31, and televised live on ESPN at 6 p.m. CT from Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. This year’s all-star game features the new format adopted in 2014. Players were selected without regard to conference in voting by fans, coaches and players. Players will be assigned to teams during the 2016 Pro Bowl Draft on Wednesday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN2.

Berry (6-0, 212) has played in all 14 contests for the club in 2015, making 13 starts in his return to the field after battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2014. He has recorded 58 tackles (52 solo), two interceptions returned for 40 yards and eight passes defensed. In 68 career games (66 starts) he owns 381 tackles (305 solo), 5.5 sacks (-37.5 yards), 10 interceptions returned for 276 yards with three touchdown returns, 41 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 14 QB pressures.

This marks Berry’s fourth Pro Bowl selection in six years after being recognized with the honor following the 2010, 2012 and 2013 seasons – earning the honor every year that he didn’t finish the season on either injured reserve or the non-football illness list. His four Pro Bowl selections rank tied for second in team history for most appearances by a defensive back while he trails only Deron Cherry’s team record of six Pro Bowls by a Chiefs safety. The Fairburn, Ga., native originally joined the Chiefs as Kansas City’s first pick (fifth overall) in the 2010 NFL Draft. He is currently Kansas City’s nominee for the prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by Nationwide, given annually to recognize one NFL player for his excellence on and off the field.

Hali (6-3, 275) has started all 14 games at linebacker in 2015, tallying 48 tackles (39 solo), including 11 for loss, 6.5 sacks (-53.0 yards), 18 quarterback pressures and two forced fumbles in his 10th season with the Chiefs. Hali has earned five consecutive Pro Bowl selections.

Hali has missed only two games since joining the club, starting 155 regular season contests (105 games at outside linebacker and 50 contests at defensive end). He’s recorded 33 career forced fumbles, which ranks second in team history and has collected 86.0 sacks to rank third in team history. A native of Monrovia, Liberia, Hali was selected 20th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft by Kansas City after starring collegiately at Penn State.

Houston (6-3, 258) has started 11 games at outside linebacker and once again leads the Chiefs in sacks, with 7.5, through Week 15. One of the premier pass rushers in the NFL, he also has two interceptions on the season, including a 17-yard INT return touchdown in Week 11 at San Diego. Houston moved up the Chiefs record books early in the season, his 56.0 sacks are the fifth-most in franchise history. Since coming into the league in 2011, Houston’s 56.0 sacks rank as the third-most in the NFL during that time span. Houston has 30 tackles on the season (25 solo), nine tackles for loss, six passes defensed and is second on the team with 13 quarterback pressures. This season will be Houston’s fourth earned trip to the NFL’s all-star game.

A Statesboro, Ga., native, Houston has played in 70 games (64 starts) since being drafted in the third round (70th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Chiefs. He has 279 tackles (242 solo), 56.0 sacks (-324.5 yards), three interceptions for 48 yards, 25 passes defensed, four fumble recoveries, eight forced fumbles and 80 QB pressures. He played collegiately at Georgia.

Kelce (6-5, 260) has started at tight end in all 14 games in his third NFL season with the Chiefs, posting 65 receptions for 822 yards, including four touchdowns. His 822 receiving yards (12.6 avg.) rank fifth in the NFL among tight ends in the 2015 season. From 2014-15, Kelce ranks among the top four in the NFL in yardage (1,684) and has the number one ranking in yards after catch for tight ends (1,026). This marks Kelce’s first selection into the NFL’s all-star game.

After spending the majority of his rookie season in 2013 on injured reserve, Kelce led the Chiefs in receptions and receiving yards in 2014 with 67 catches for 862 yards. His career numbers include 132 receptions for 1,684 yards (12.8 avg.) with nine touchdowns. A native of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Kelce was selected by Kansas City in the third round (63rd overall) in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Peters (6-0, 197) has started all 14 games for the Chiefs in 2015. In his rookie campaign, Peters leads the team with seven interceptions and 234 return yards, returning two INTs for touchdowns (vs. DEN 11/17 & at BAL 12/20). He has 58 total tackles (51 solo), one tackle for loss, one forced fumble and 23 passes defensed. Peters ranks in the top-three in the NFL in three important defensive categories including interceptions (2nd), interception yards (1st) and passes defensed (2nd). Peters’ 23 passes defensed is a Chiefs rookie record and his seven interceptions are tied for second all-time among Chiefs rookies.

The Oakland, Calif., native played collegiately at Washington. He originally entered the NFL as a first-round draft pick (18th overall) of the Chiefs in the 2015 NFL Draft. Peters is the first rookie to earn Pro Bowl honors since safety Eric Berry did so following the 2010 season.

— Chiefs Press Release —

K-State overcomes cold first half to take down North Dakota

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riggertKansasStateMANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Barry Brown had 15 points, Justin Edwards scored all eight of his points in the second half, and Kansas State beat North Dakota 63-49 on Tuesday night.

Wesley Iwundu added 11 points with five rebounds and three assists for Kansas State (9-2). Five players scored eight points or more for the Wildcats.

Drick Bernstine had 13 points and 13 rebounds to lead North Dakota(5-6), which was without leading scorer Quinton Hooker due to a foot injury.

Poor shooting plagued both Kansas State and North Dakota in the first half as the two teams combined to shoot 18 of 50 from the field to go along with 19 turnovers. The start echoed Kansas State’s cold shooting in its last win over Colorado State. The Wildcats trailed 8-4 before striking an 11-0 run.

North Dakota had five consecutive scores to take a 19-15 lead with 5:13 left in the first half. Kansas State closed the first half on a 9-2 run to take a 24-21 halftime lead.

A trio of 3-pointers early in the second half from Kamau Stokes and Edwards sparked an 11-0 run to stretch the Wildcats’ lead to 38-27 with 15:12 left. North Dakota pulled to 51-46 with less than five minutes to play.

An Iwundu offensive rebound, one of 20 for Kansas State, led to a put-back to give the Wildcats a 10-point lead with 1:18 left.

TIP-INS

Kansas State: The first meeting between the two teams came in Bruce Weber’s first game as coach of the Wildcats, an 85-52 win at home on Nov. 9, 2012. . D.J. Johnson scored six points and grabbed seven rebounds after missing the second half against Colorado State on Dec. 19 due to aggravating a foot injury that caused him to miss all of last season.

North Dakota: Returns two starters from a team that posted an 8-22 record last season. . Quinton Hooker was averaging 17 points per game before injuring his foot, and had scored in double figures in 16 straight games dating back to last season.

UP NEXT

Kansas State hosts Saint Louis on Dec. 29.

North Dakota hosts Idaho on Dec. 31.

— Associated Press —

Missouri Western breaks ground on new Spratt Stadium video board

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MWSUST. JOSEPH – A groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday formally marked the beginning of construction for the next phase in the renovation of Missouri Western State University’s Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium – a $2.6 million video scoreboard that will rise seven stories above the playing surface. The LED video display, at approximately 2,500 square feet, will be the largest in NCAA Division II.

Steve Craig, founder and CEO of Craig Realty Group and benefactor of the Craig School of Business, will contribute $1.1 million toward the project, the largest individual gift in the history of Missouri Western athletics. With this gift, Craig has now donated $8.9 million to the university. In recognition of his support, the playing surface at Spratt Stadium was named Craig Field earlier this year.

“We are in the last few days of our university’s centennial celebration, with the theme of ‘100 Years of Transforming Lives,'” said Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western’s president. “I can’t think of a better way of concluding our centennial year than thanking an individual, Steve Craig, who has been such an important part of that transformational process.”

Craig said he wanted to provide Griffon coaches with a “dynamic asset” to help recruit student-athletes, enhance the overall fan experience for football and soccer games and strengthen the relationship with the Kansas City Chiefs. He also wanted to nurture some much-needed community pride.

“Not only can northwest Missouri residents be proud of these fantastic new facilities, but the players who compete here will also be very happy,” Craig said. When plans for the scoreboard were announced in August, he said, “I spoke about some of those great civic projects of the past, and I’m hopeful that this new scoreboard along with these other improvements will be looked upon as some of the best as well.”

Student athletes spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony about their excitement.

“We’ve always been proud to play for Missouri Western, but now we’re so excited to play at home and see other teams come out and see our facilities,” said Taylor Gant, women’s soccer. “These enhancements will improve the experience for both the players and the audience.”

“These additions make Missouri Western’s facilities one of the tops in the nation by far,” said Michael Hill, former Griffon running back and NFL player. “I was really stoked to see all this construction going on, and I’m excited to see the scoreboard go up. The environment on game day will be superb.”

The video board will stand at the south end of the stadium, near the Baker Family Fitness Center. At a little more than 65 feet wide and 38 feet tall, or approximately 2,500 square feet, the video display will be the largest in NCAA Division II. It will be larger by area than many Division I schools, including the University of Missouri and the University of Kansas.

The brick structure built to house the scoreboard will be approximately 72 feet tall, with storage rooms inside, static signs and displays, and a rooftop fireworks launchpad. Construction is expected to be completed in time for the Spring Commencement Ceremony in May 2016.

In addition to Craig, other private donors have pledged through the Missouri Western State University Foundation’s Centennial Capital Campaign to complete the scoreboard. Major donors include Al and Gracie Landes, Randy and Mary Herzog, Sunshine Electronic Display, O’Malley Beverage and Nodaway Valley Bank. Other donors have provided leadership support for the Spratt Memorial Stadium renovation project.

E.L. Crawford Construction is the general contractor for the scoreboard project and the Spratt Stadium renovation, which includes corporate suites, additional chair-back seating for fans, elevator and other accessibility improvements, additional restrooms, expanded concessions area, new ticket office, a team store to sell Griffon merchandise, new press box and fencing.

— MWSU Athletics —

Nebraska uses big second half to defeat Prairie View A&M

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riggertNebraskaLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Shavon Shields and Andrew White III each had 19 points and five rebounds on Tuesday night and Nebraska blew past Prairie View A&M in the second half for an 81-50 win.

Nebraska (8-5) led by as many as 16 in the first half, but fell behind Prairie View A&M 32-31 on Zachary Hamilton’s basket with 18:40 remaining.

The Huskers responded with a 23-5 run, going up 45-34 on Tai Webster’s steal and layup with 14:40 left and taking a 54-37 lead on White’s 3 pointer with 11:40 remaining. The Panthers (0-11) got no closer than 15 the rest of the way. Nebraska’s biggest lead was 32.

Nebraska built a 26-8 lead capped by Shields’ six free throws as the Panthers hit just four of their first 18 shots. Prairie View A&M then hit six of their next seven shots for a 16-0 run that cut the lead to 26-24 on Zachary Hamilton’s layup with 2:54 remaining in the half. Nebraska made just one field goal in the final 8:18 of the half.

Tai Webster added 10 points for Nebraska.

Karim York led Prairie View A&M with 16 points. Hamilton finished with 13 for the Panthers.

—

TIP-INS

Prairie View A&M: Has played just one home game this season, a loss to Texas State on Dec. 16. The Panthers return home for a Jan. 2 tilt against Alcorn State.

Nebraska: Is now 21-1 all-time against schools from the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Tuesday’s game was the first meeting between the Huskers and Prairie View A&M.

UP NEXT

Prairie View A&M travels to Louisiana Tech on Monday.

Nebraska hosts Northwestern Dec. 30.

— Associated Press —

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