Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Shavon Shields scored 19 points and pulled down
six rebounds as the Nebraska Cornhuskers registered a 57-55 win over the
Purdue Boilermakers in the opening round of the Big Ten Conference Tournament
at the United Center.
Also scoring in double figures for the 10th-seeded Cornhuskers (15-17) was
Brandon Ubel who dropped in 16 points to go along with eight rebounds and five
assists. With the win, Nebraska will now take on second-seeded Ohio State in
the quarterfinals on Friday.
The seventh-seeded Boilermakers (15-17) were paced by D.J. Byrd who accounted
for 15 points and eight rebounds, but shot just 2-of-8 behind the 3-point
line. A.J. Hammons delivered 11 points and Ronnie Johnson 10 in the setback.
Purdue led by four points early in the first half, but the team ended up
missing all five chances from beyond the arc in the period and fell behind by
two points at the break, 30-28. The Huskers converted a solid 52.0 percent
from the field through the first 20 minutes of action, but only 1-of-8 behind
the 3-point line.
In the second half Nebraska was able to push the lead to 11 points, but a mere
36.4 percent shooting from the floor in the frame meant the team had to hold
on for the win in the closing moments.
The Boilermakers converted a mere 2-of-12 from long range and were outscored
at the charity stripe, 12-7.
GAME NOTES:
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