White's career high 30 leads Nebraska past Abilene Christian
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) Andrew White III picked up a scholarship before Nebraska played Abilene Christian Saturday, then scored a career-high 30 points to lead the Huskers to a 73-63 win over the Wildcats.
White did much of his damage at the free throw line where Nebraska won the game. The Huskers had one less field goal and one less 3-pointer than Abilene Christian. But the Huskers were 27-for-36 from free throw line. The Wildcats were 14-for- 17.
''I got to the free throw line,'' said White who made 14 of 16 from the stripe. ''I don't think I've ever, in my years of playing basketball, shot that many free throws. I think part of that was just crashing the boards. I think my teammates did a good job looking for me also and, just being more aggressive.''
White, who also had career highs in rebounds with seven and steals with four, scored seven straight points in the second-half spurt that put the Huskers in the lead for good. Shavon Shields added 21 points and Tai Webster 10.
Slow-starting Nebraska (6-3) led Abilene Christian (3-5) 46-43 when Shields hit a pair of free throws with 15:32 left to start a breakaway run. White then hit a pair of free throws, a 3-pointer and two more charity shots to put Nebraska up 55-45 with 12:50 left.
The Wildcats cut the lead to seven twice but could get no closer.
The Huskers started the game 1-for-10 from the field, falling behind 12-7. Nebraska then hit 7 of its next 9, going up 31-26 on a Shields fast-break layup with 6:54 left in the half. The Huskers led 36-34 at the half.
''Thank goodness for Shavon and Andrew,'' said Nebraska coach Tim Miles. ''You've got to score to win. I'm not pleased with anybody's defense. I think you have to credit Abilene Christian.They hit some tough shots early. Once a team gains confidence, it's on. That's what we allowed them to do the first half. Once you open that door anything could happen.''
Abilene Christian coach Joe Golding was pleased with how his team performed.
''I thought our guys played well,'' he said. We were able to get some stops in the first half, but we let them get to the free throw line too much in the second half. Shields is a great player, and they have more size than we could put out there. We have to do a better job of guarding without fouling. We turned the ball over too much (20 turnovers), but I thought our guys competed for 40 minutes. I'm very proud of the way this team came on the road and competed for 40 minutes against a solid Big Ten team. Our team is growing up and I believe it will show down the road.''
Duran Porter led the Wildcats with 17 points, Jaylen Franklin added 14 and Jovan Crnic 13.
Prior to the game, White received the third Bus Whitehead Memorial Basketball Scholarship. The scholarship is presented for athletic achievement, moral character and leadership.
''It was a big honor,'' White said. ''I was really surprised...You have do more than just be a good basketball player to get something like that. I'm just glad people think enough of my character to award me with something like that.''
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TIP INS
Abilene Christian: The Wildcats are 4-19 against non-conference Division I opponents in its two-plus years in Division I. The Wildcats are 0-16 in true road games.
Nebraska: Shields' 21 points is his third 20-point game this season.
UP NEXT
Abilene Christian hosts Schreiner Dec. 12.
Nebraska plays Creighton Tuesday in Omaha.
