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Smith & the Huskers lose to Bearcats

Leslee Smith (above) and the Nebraska Huskers fell to the Cincinnati Bearcats despite a 22 point game high performance from sophomore Terran Petteway. Photo: supplied
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – It was a quiet afternoon for Virgin Islander Leslee Smith but despite a game-high 22 points from sophomore Terran Petteway, the Nebraska basketball team was unable to extend its winning streak, falling at Cincinnati, 74-59, on December 28, 2013.

Smith, who played just 20 minutes throughout, finished with a total of 8 points. He added 4 rebounds, 2 blocks and 1 assist for the Huskers who came into the game knowing they had to stop Cincinatti from picking up the loose ball.

However despite managing to stay in the game a combination of Cincinnati’s rebounding and free throw shooting proved to be too much, as the Bearcats out-rebounded Nebraska, 40-30, and went 25-of-30 from the charity stripe.

Sean Kilpatrick led UC (11-2) with 21 points, including 17-of-18 from the foul line, to pace three players in double figures. His 17 free throws was one off the NU opponent’s mark set by Wilt Chamberlain in 1958. Justin Jackson added 15 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks, while Kevin Johnson had 11 points off the bench, including seven in a run which gave Cincinnati the lead for good.

Gallegos matched his season high with 18 points, including four 3-pointers, but the Huskers were held to 35.7 percent shooting and held to their lowest offensive output of the year.

The Huskers, despite having Petteway on the bench with two fouls in the first 62 seconds, stood toe to toe with UC for most of the half until Johnson led the Bearcats on a 13-3 run late in the first half, turning an 18-all deadlock into a 31-21 lead. The freshman scored seven straight points for the hosts to break the deadlock, as UC eventually went into the locker room with an eight-point lead.

Nebraska trailed 47-38 before Petteway hit 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to make it a 47-44, but Jermaine Lawrence ended the run with an offensive putback and his jumper on UC’s next offensive possession extended the lead back to seven and force a Husker timeout.

The Bearcats used a 7-0 run to extend the lead to 65-48 after a Jermaine Sanders 3-pointer that beat the shot clock, but the Huskers would fight back. 

Nebraska made one last run, as 9-2 Husker run cut a 17-point deficit to 67-57 after a pair of Petteway free throws with 2:46 left. The Huskers had a chance to cut the lead into single-figures, but Shields missed the front end of a 1 and 1 with 2:07 left. Cincinnati came back and got two free throws from Jackson and Kilpatrick to push the margin to 14 at 71-57.

The Huskers return to action on New Year’s Eve as they travel to Iowa. Tipoff is at 6 p.m. and the game will be on the Big Ten Network and on the Husker Sports Network.

3 Responses to “Smith & the Huskers lose to Bearcats”

  • ccc (30/12/2013, 10:06) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Always good to see our local boy
  • qc (30/12/2013, 12:20) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    this guy is flying with wings
  • BVI B Ball (30/12/2013, 16:56) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I watched this youngman play yesterday and he is very good. He has a good understanding of the game and he
    contributed a great deal to the team! It was a pleasure seeing him in action even though they lost!
    good job Mr. Smith and good luck in your conference games. We are watching here in the BVI


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