Webster leads Nebraska to easy 92-65 win over SE Louisiana
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) Nebraska struggled during warmups Sunday but the Cornhuskers came out hitting on all cylinders, taking a 37-point halftime lead on the way to an easy 92-65 victory over Southeastern Louisiana.
''The coaches didn't like how we were warming up,'' Benny Parker said. ''We had a pretty serious talk before we came out for our second warmup. He (coach Tim Miles) basically just challenged us and said we need to lock in and just focus. I think that's what we did coming down the first couple minutes of the first half.''
Nebraska (3-1) opened up a 19-2 lead in the first six minutes of the game as Southeastern Louisiana (1-3) hit just one of its first eight shots and turned the ball over three times.
The Huskers opened the game hitting 13 of 18 shots to mount a 32-9 lead with 7:44 left in the half. Nebraska's largest first half lead was 39 points at 53-14 on free throws by Jack McVeigh. Nebraska's largest second-half lead was 46.
''I thought they jumped out and played right,'' Miles said. ''They played the game the right way too. They shared it. Once they built the lead, they kept the lead. They didn't get too foolish. It's a tough situation for both teams. Credit Southeastern Louisiana for continuing to press and compete.''
Southeastern Louisiana coach Jay Ladner credited Miles for beginning to substitute with seven minutes remaining and credited his team for continuing to play hard, regardless of the deficit.
''They didn't quit,'' he said. ''I never thought they backed off in the second half particularly when they could have. It could've gotten a lot uglier. They made it more respectable. Nobody's happy with 92-65, but considering where it was and outscoring them by ten in the second half, I was pleased with that.''
Tai Webster, who scored 11 of his 13 points in the first half, was one of five Huskers to score in double figures, a quintet that did not include the team's leading scorers, Shavon Shields and Andrew White III.
''I think it just proves how much we share the ball this year,'' Webster said. ''If certain guys aren't going on certain nights, we've got a lot of weapons to back them up.''
Glynn Watson Jr. led Nebraska with 14 points. Michael Jacobson and Ed Morrow, Jr. had 11 each and Parker added 10.
Nebraska's 92 points set a Pinnacle Bank Arena scoring record, eclipsing the 83 the Cornhuskers scored against South Carolina State in 2013.
Dimi Cook paced the Lions with 16 points. Mo Greenwood finished with 12 points and James Currington had 11.
The game was the first in the Barclays Classic for both teams.
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TIP-INS
Nebraska: The Huskers wore a combination throwback uniform Sunday with jerseys from the mid `80s and shorts from the mid `90s.
Southeastern Louisiana: Sunday's game was the Lions' third this season against a power conference team, losing all three.
NEXT UP
Nebraska hosts Arkansas Pine Bluff on Tuesday
Southeastern Louisiana travels to Cincinnati on Tuesday
