University of Denver
Nebraska
| Team | 1 | 2 | OT 1 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | 28 | 40 | 7 | 75 |
| Nebraska | 28 | 40 | 11 | 79 |
Denver Drops Heartbreaker to Nebraska
1/4/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 4, 2003
LINCOLN. Neb. - The University of Denver men's basketball team was defeated 79-75 in overtime by the University of Nebraska Saturday afternoon in Lincoln, Neb. The loss drops Denver to 8-6 on the year, while Nebraska improves to 7-5.
The Pioneers had five different players in double figures paced by senior captain B.J. Pratt (San Antonio, Texas) with 17 points. Junior center Brett Starkey (Lakewood, Colo.) dropped in 10 points and 10 rebounds for his sixth double-double of the year. Guards Erik Benzel (Spokane, Wash.) and Dusty Wadlington (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) both added 11 points. Junior Carvell McAlister (Fresno, Calif.) contributed to the cause with 10 points and six rebounds.
"We competed and fought hard for all 45 minutes," said head coach Terry Carroll. "The effort was there and our pressure was good, we just allowed them to get too many second-chance opportunities."
The first half was an odyssey that will confuse basketball minds for years to come. The Pioneers were outshot 42 percent (10-of-24) to 36 percent (10-of-28) and outrebounded (20-19) but were able to weather the storm and keep the scored tied at 28-28 at the break. Adding to the mystery was the differential in free throw shooting. The Huskers were in the bonus with 13:14 remaining and shot 17 free throws compared to six for the Pioneers.
Denver received production from seven different players during the first 20 minutes of play, including eight from Pratt. The balanced production coupled with the Pioneers tenacious defense enabled them to lead throughout the first frame, only trailing once by just two points.
The second half was a nip-and-tuck battle the whole way with the biggest lead being five by Nebraska (48-43). The game was all tied at 68-68 with 12 seconds remaining and Denver owning the final possession. Sophomore guard Rodney Billups (Denver, Colo.) took the final shot, but his eight-footer fell off the right side of the rim.
Nebraska scored the first five points of overtime equaling their biggest lead of the afternoon (73-68). The Pioneers responded, pulling within one (76-75) with one minute remaining. The score was 78-75 with 15 seconds remaining and Denver with the basketball. Wadlington had a look at an open three that would have sent the game into double-overtime, but the ball fell off of the rim.
The Pioneers will continue their three-game road swing on Thursday, January 9 at Florida International. Denver's first Sun Belt Conference game of the year will tip-off at 5 p.m. MST.
