November 22, 2014

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                    1   2  OT  total 
Rhode Island (NR)  19  34  13  66 
NEBRASKA     (21)  23  30  9   62 
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Kingston, R.I. — Shavon Shields had 25 points and nine rebounds, but Jared Terrell scored six of his 12 points in overtime, lifting the Rams to a 66-62 win over No. 21 Nebraska Saturday night.

Shields turned in a strong performance in a losing effort, scoring 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting and grabbing nine rebounds in a career high 43 minutes. Terran Petteway joined Shields in double figures with 15 points, but the Huskers shot just 37 percent from the field.

Terrell, who was just 2-of-12 in regulation, took advantage of a scramble and got loose in the corner for a 3-pointer to give URI a three-point lead. On the next possession, Terrell gave the hosts a four-point lead, hitting a tough 3-pointer in the corner over Shields to push the lead to 59-55.

Nebraska, which falls to 2-1 on the season, continued to fight, running off five straight points to cut a 62-55 deficit to 63-60 after a pair of Petteway free throws with 50.4 seconds left. After a timeout, the Huskers forced an errant shot, but could not get the rebound as E.C. Matthews hit a foul shot to push the lead back to four. Petteway's basket with four seconds left cut the deficit to 64-62, but Matthews was fouled and clinched the win with a pair of free throws.

Matthews led Rhode Island (3-0) with 26 points and 10 reboundsm while Terrell finished with 12 for the winners.

In the first half, the Huskers got a strong defensive effort and a big performance from Shields to take a 23-19 lead into the locker room. Shields led all scorers with 11 points and six rebounds, with his four-point play with 5:45 left in the half gave NU a four-point lead. Nebraska trailed 19-18 before a Parker baseline jumper started a 5-0 run to close the half. Shields than capped the half with a driving dunk with seven seconds left in the half to give NU a four-point cushion.

In the second half, Nebraska took a 27-23 lead after consecutive Petteway dunks, but the Rams would not go away. Matthews, who the Huskers kept in check during the first half, scored eight straight points to give the Rams a 31-27 lead.

Tarin Smith broke the Rams run with a 3-pointer before Benny Parker's two free throws tied the game at 33 with 13:14 left. Trailing 34-33, Shields took over with two baskets to put the Huskers up 37-34. URI came right back with four straight points to take a 38-37 lead after a Terrell jumper.

Nebraska trailed 40-39 before baskets by Tai Webster and David Rivers put Nebraska up 43-40 with 7:25 left, but Matthews was fouled on a 3-pointer and hit both shots to knot the score with 6:04 left. A Rivers jumper put the Huskers up 45-43, but the Rams scored four straight to take a 47-45 lead and force a Husker timeout.

Nebraska trailed 53-51 and URI had the ball with under a minute left, but the Huskers forced a miss and tied the score at 53 on a Shields putback with 35.7 seconds left. URI had two chances at the game-winning shot, but the Husker defense got the stop to send the game to overtime.

The Huskers return home to take on the Omaha Mavericks Tuesday night at 7 p.m. A limited number of tickets are available by visiting Huskers.com or calling 800-8-BIGRED.

Notes: David Rivers made his first shot attempt, but saw his streak of consecutive baskets end at 10 dating back to last year's NCAA Tournament...Shields with his sixth career 20-point game...Nebraska's OT game was its first since the 2011-12 season...NU falls to 1-1 all-time against Rhode Island.

Huskers shooting 23 percent at 12 media TO; URI at 27 percent..

Early on, both teams held the other in check on the defensive end. NU held URU to just 27 percent, while the Huskers connected on just three of their first 13 shots in the opening eight minutes.