November 16, 2014

----------------------------- 
                    1   2   total 
N.Kentucky (NR)     31  31    61 
NEBRASKA   (21)     45  35    80 
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Lincoln, Neb. — All-Big Ten performer Terran Petteway had a game-high 25 points, including six 3-pointers, lifting No. 21 Nebraska to an 80-61 win over Northern Kentucky in the season opener at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

While Petteway, who connected on 6-of-9 from long range, showed an improved shooting stroke from long distance, it was the efforts and efficiency of David Rivers and Shavon Shields early on who got the Huskers going after a bumpy start.

Shields finished with 18 points, hitting all four shots from the field and going a perfect 10-of-10 from the line, while Rivers connected on all five of his shots from the field en route to scoring 12 points and grabbing six caroms.

The Huskers struggled from the floor early on, missing seven of its first eight field goal attempts to fall behind 8-2 in the opening four minutes before the veterans took over. The pair combined for points in a decisive 16-4 run to take an 18-12 lead after a Shields basket at the 12 minute mark.

Northern Kentucky, which is 0-2 on the season including Friday's loss at Wisconsin, got to within 21-18 after a Cole Murray 3-pointer before the Huskers found their touch from long distance. Petteway's 3-pointer with 10:57 left in the half was NU's first make after six straight misses and jump started a 9-0 run from 3-point range, as the Huskers took a 27-15 lead after a Pitchford 3-pointer.

Petteway had 16 of his 25 points in the first half, as Nebraska closed the half by hitting five of its last seven 3-pointers to push the lead to 45-30 at the break.

Northern Kentucky cut a 17-point deficit to 49-38 after an Anthony Monaco 3-pointer with 16:40 left, but would get no closer, as the Huskers took command with a 16-6 surge to push the advantage to 21, at 65-44 with 10:10 left after six straight points from Shields.

Tayler Persons led Northern Kentucky with 13 points, while Monaco added 12 points, but the Norse connected on just 36 percent shooting from the floor.

The Huskers will return to action Tuesday night, as they host Central Arkansas. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. and the game will be carried on the Husker Sports Network and on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN app. A limited number of tickets, beginning at $7 are available at Huskers.com or by calling 800-8-BIGRED.