Dec. 22, 2007

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LINCOLN, NEB. - North Carolina Central University managed only eight first-half points and shot less than 20 percent from the floor during a 71-28 blow out by the University of Nebraska inside the Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln, Neb.

NCCU hit just 2-of-17 field goals (11.8 percent) with 18 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes, while the Cornhuskers made 15-of-23 field goals (65.2 percent) for a 35-8 lead at intermission.

After the break, Nebraska increased the cushion to 45-8 before a jumper by junior guard J'Mell Walters put the Eagles in double figures at 14:48 of the second half, drawing sympathetic applause from the Husker fans.

The 28 points is the lowest scoring total by NCCU since Feb. 1942, when the Eagles lost to Johnson C. Smith University, 32-28.

NCCU (1-15) shot a season-low 19.6 percent (9-for-46) from the field and only 44.4 percent (4-for-9) from the free throw line, while committing 26 turnovers that resulted in 33 points for the Cornhuskers.

Junior guard Bryan Ayala was the only Eagle to score double-digits with 11 points, all in the second half.

Nebraska (9-2) blistered the nets by shooting 57.8 percent (26-for-45) from the floor, including 8-of-15 from long range, and 11-of-13 (84.6 percent) from the charity stripe.

Sek Henry came off the bench to lead the Huskers with a game-high 15 points and six rebounds, while senior center Aleks Maric added 10 points, four boards and four steals in only 14 minutes of action.

NCCU's 10-game road swing is over, as the Eagles play their second home game of the season on Dec. 29 against Houston Baptist University in the BC Powder Classic.