Husker Men Split in El Paso

It was feast and famine for the Huskers in El Paso, Texas this weekend. The Huskers traveled to a weekend tournament while many traveled home or to visit friends and loved ones. They played two games that were about as opposite as they get, both in outcome and how they got there. Much of that had to do with the opponents they faced.

The Huskers advanced to the championship game of the Sun Bowl Invitational by defeating Central Michigan 89-75. In the championship the Huskers faced the host UTEP Miners. The Huskers struggled to score early, lodging their first points of the game more than six minutes into it. In that time UTEP was able to build a 13-0 lead. The Huskers tried to mount a challenge and get back into the game, but were never able to get any closer than eight points. Ray Gallegos paced the Huskers, scoring 22 points. No other Husker eclispsed the 11 point mark. The Huskers fell 68-52.

On Saturday, the Huskers faced the Central Michigan. The Chippewas presented a completely different opponent. This time, it was CMU that was not able to shut down the opponent. The Huskers scored a season high 89 points, netting more than 40 points in both halves. The Huskers saw both David Rivers and Dylan Talley top the 20 point plateau and Gallegos was just one point short. The Huskers shot nearly 60% from the field and hit 9 three pointers in the process.

The Huskers will break for the Christmas holiday before talking on Nicholls State on Saturday December 29, wrapping up non-conference play.