Bryce McGowens recorded his first career double-double and Nebraska dominated the paint in an 82-59 nonconference win over Southern on Sunday afternoon in Lincoln, Neb.
The Cornhuskers (3-2) outscored the Jaguars 46-20 in the paint, constantly driving and dumping it inside on their undersized opponent to record consecutive wins for the first time since late last season.
McGowens, a freshman forward who was originally committed to Florida State, had 18 points and 11 rebounds, going 10 of 10 from the line and adding four assists. He helped the Cornhuskers shoot 52.9 percent from the field, including 23 of 28 percent on 2-point shots, as four players scored in double figures.
Derrick Walker had a career-high 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting, while Alonzo Verge Jr. had 14 points, six rebounds and four assists and junior college transfer Keisei Tominaga scored 11 in 11 minutes off the bench.
Nebraska led 39-22 at the half but managed only one basket in the first five minutes of the second half. That allowed Southern to get within 41-29 thanks to a 7-0 run capped by a jumper from J’Quan Ewing, who had 10 points and five rebounds.
The Huskers responded with a 9-0 run. A reverse dunk by Eduardo Andre making it 52-31 with 13:19 left, and a 4-point play by Tominanga upped the edge to 63-41 with 9:18 to go.
Southern was led by Brion Whitley, who had 17 points but made just 5 of 14 from the field. The Jaguars shot 33.8 percent and turned it over 16 times, with Nebraska converting those takeaways into 23 points.
Nebraska jumped out to a 14-4 lead as Southern started 2 of 16 from the field, missing 10 straight shots at one point and going scoreless for more than eight minutes. The Jaguars made six of their next nine shots but couldn’t gain any ground.
Southern heads back to Baton Rouge to play its home opener, hosting Ecclesia College on Tuesday, while Nebraska continues its season-opening seven-game homestand Tuesday with a visit from Tennessee State.
–Field Level Media
