BIG 12 TOURNAMENT: Final – Baylor defeats Nebraska 65-49
Baylor’s Kevin Rogers pulls down a rebound during Baylor’s 65-49 win over Nebraska in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament on Wednesday. Rogers outrebounded the entire Nebraska team by grabbing 20 boards. Nebraska had 18 total rebounds. Photo: Shing Kai Chan/Iowa State Daily
March 11, 2009
No. 9 Baylor Bears 65
No. 8 Nebraska Cornhuskers 49
RECAP:
OKLAHOMA CITY — Baylor pulled away from a cold-shooting Nebraska team to win the opening game of the Big 12 Tournament on Wednesday.
The Bears used hot shooting and a strong defensive effort to shut down Nebraska, 65-49.
The Bears shot 53.6 percent from the field and played a zone defense to keep the Cornhuskers in check, particularly to begin the second half.
Nebraska began the second half within three of the Bears, but that’s when things started to get out of hand for the Cornhuskers. Baylor went on a 7-0 run to start the half and push the lead to 10. The Huskers, meanwhile, went completely cold from the field.
Nebraska didn’t score until the 15:32 mark on a pair of free throws by Ade Dagunduro, and only scored six points in the first 10 minutes of the half, all by Dagunduro.
Other than Dagunduro’s two made layups, the rest of the team was 0-for-11 from the field until Steve Harley hit a shot with 8:22 left to put the Huskers within 11. Baylor put the game out of reach with a 12-2 run.
Baylor started the first half hot, hitting 44.4 percent and pulling out to a 28-18 lead.
Nebraska closed the lead to one on a 9-0 run, and ended the half down only three.
QUOTABLE:
“We were up 10 in the first half and kind of relaxed, and then we were only up one. I looked at the scoreboard and it was kind of deflating. We went in and coach made some adjustments… After we were up 10 again, I told the guys, ‘We have been here before and let’s just have a different outcome.’” – Curtis Jerrells, Baylor
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Kevin Rogers, forward, Baylor
Rogers pulled down 20 rebounds, more than the entire Nebraska team. His 10 points rounded out a double-double performance.
WHAT IT MEANS:
The Bears beat up on Nebraska. Their reward? A date with the No. 1 team in the tournament, Kansas, on Thursday. The Bears look at this as an opportunity at a second chance after finishing the conference season at 5-11. Kansas beat Baylor in Waco this season by a score of 75-65, but Baylor coach Scott Drew said his team is experienced enough to prepare for a rematch with the Jayhawks in just one day.
