| |
 Petteway |  Shields |  Parker |
-----------------------------
1 2 OT1 OT2 total
Cincinnati 21 23 8 3 55
NEBRASKA 23 21 8 4 56
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Cincinnati scored the first three points of double overtime on a Kevin Johnson 3-pointer 1:18 into the period. But that would be the Bearcats' only points of the second overtime. A pair of Tai Webster free throws pulled Nebraska to within one before Parker's game-winner. The Bearcats had a final chance to win it in the closing seconds, but Johnson missed a 3-pointer and Shavon Shields corralled the rebound as time expired.
The Huskers overcame a three-point deficit in both overtime periods to snap a two-game losing streak. NU trailed 51-48 with 26 seconds remaining in the first overtime following a pair of Troy Caupain free throws. But Webster hit two free throws of his own to trim the deficit to one with 16 seconds left. Cincinnati then converted 1-of-2 at the line before Shields was fouled and converted both attempts to knot the score at 52-52. Caupain had a chance to win it, but his driving layup was blocked by David Rivers.
Nebraska (6-3) went 8-of-8 from the free-throw line in the two overtime periods, helping the Huskers to the victory despite making just two field goals in the two overtimes combined. Cincinnati (6-2) also scored only two buckets in the overtimes, but the Bearcats were 6-of-10 at the line.
While free throws made the different down the stretch, it was the Huskers' defensive effort that defined the game. Nebraska held Cincinnati to its two lowest-scoring halves of the season, as the Bearcats managed only 21 points in the first half and 23 points in the second half. Nebraska also forced 18 turnovers - one shy of its season high - while limiting Cincinnati to 31.7 percent shooting, including 3-of-17 from beyond the arc.
The outstanding defensive effort helped Nebraska overcome a season-high 22 turnovers, which led to 22 of the Bearcats' 55 points. The Huskers were also outscored 20-9 in bench points, with Webster accounting for all nine of Nebraska's points off the bench. The sophomore from New Zealand scored seven of the Huskers' 12 points in the two overtime periods.
Nebraska led by as many as 13 points in the first half, and the Huskers were on top 23-21 at halftime. In the second half, Nebraska went more than eight minutes without a field goal, allowing Cincinnati to claim its first lead, 34-33, on a pair of Deshaun Morman free throws with 9:08 to play. Webster knocked down two free throws of is own a minute later as Nebraska regained the lead.
Cincinnati came back to take a one-point lead with 4:00 remaining in regulation, before Webster came up big again with a 3-pointer that gave Nebraska a 42-40 lead with 2:57 remaining. The 3-pointer was Webster's only field goal of the game. Cincinnati twice erased two-point deficits, forcing overtime on a Gary Clark dunk with 39 seconds remaining.
Terran Petteway and Shields led NU with 13 points apiece, while Walter Pitchford just missed a double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds. Caupain paced the Bearcats with 13 points.
Fresh off a win in the first overtime game at Pinnacle Banke Arena, Nebraska takes a week off before traveling to Hawaii to take on the Rainbow Warriors at 11:59 p.m. (Central) on Dec. 22.