Nebrasketball Starts Slow, Picks Up Pace In 77-62 Victory Over The Citadel

Terran Petteway had 27 points on Saturday night and Shavon Shields had 15 after halftime, as the Nebraska Cornhuskers fought off a pesky The Citadel Bulldogs team to emerge with a 77-62 victory in front of 14,189 fans at Pinnacle Bank Arena, the most to ever watch a Nebraska Basketball game in the new arena.

The Huskers (8-3) seemed very slow and lacking fire, something that the Bulldogs (4-9) had in the first 30 minutes of gametime.

Nebraska started out with a 8-7 lead at the under 16 timeout in the first half, however Walter Pitchford picked up his second foul and he only played 7 minutes of the first half.

The Bulldogs were lead by Ahston Moore with 10 points and Matt Van Scyoc with 8 in the first half, while it was basically the Terran Petteway show, as he scored half of Nebraska's 32 points, including 5 points of a half-ending 7-0 run to cut a Bulldog 32-25 lead with 1:30 to play into a 32 all tie heading into intermission.

After the half, the Huskers seemed to have a clearer idea of both their offensive ideas as well as the mixed defenses that Citadel HC Chuck Driesell threw at the Huskers in the first half. Tim Miles stated in the post game press conference that while he wasn't surprised that Citadel had given Nebraska so many looks, it was unexpected that the Bulldogs would show different.

"Citadel comes in, and just takes it to us" HC Tim Miles stated after the game, "you just have to credit coach Driesell on their effort level, they came in and made some shots, and they had some guys step up that really hadn't been playing much. And now, all of a sudden, we're out there like the Bad News Bears..."

The second half did have the Huskers shoot 62%, which was a far cry from their 41% in the first half. The Bulldogs shot 50% in the first half, while cooling down to 35% in the second.

The Huskers did get the Bulldogs to start chasing them in the second half, but Citadel did answer the punch to take a 49-48 lead at the under 12 minute TO in the second half.

What did Tim Miles say on his second half adjustments? "Love the rim came out of my mouth in the halftime, along with a few expletives included, unfortunately. I apologize Mom. We always go to confession before Christmas, so I'll be fine."

Leslee Smith added 10 points on 10 rebounds, which is his second double-double of his career. Three of those rebounds were offensive, as he was one of the main guys that kept the Huskers in the game in the first half.

The game was still close at the under 8 minute timeout, as Nebraska 59-56. However, Citadel only got 5 more points the rest of the evening, as Nebraska had finally inflicted their will and beat the Bulldogs.

They didn't cover, but Nebraska definitely realized that they can't take teams for granted.

Nebraska will be in action again next Saturday, as they take on Cincinnati on ESPN2 for a 11am tip.