By NU Athletic Communications
Nebraska fought back from a six-point halftime deficit, but Kansas State used an 12-2 second-half run to earn a 67-58 victory over the Huskers at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Nebraska held Kansas State percent shooting and forced 19 turnovers, but the Wildcats were more opportunistic, turning 17 NU turnovers into 22 point and enjoying a 15-6 advantage in second-chance points.
Nebraska shot just 33 percent from the field, including 5-of-28 from 3-point range to fall to 5-7 on the season.
Alonzo Verge Jr. had 21 points to lead two Huskers in double figures, while also adding five rebounds, five assists and four steals. Bryce McGowens added 14 points in a losing effort
Nijel Pack had 15 points, eight board and five assists, while Ismael Massoud had 10 points for Kansas State (7-3).
Nebraska jumped out to an early 10-5 lead in the first 4:11 off two straight 3-pointers from Keisei Tominaga. The Huskers kept the momentum and stretched the lead to 10 at 25-15 with under nine minutes to go in the half, but the visitors came back. Kansas State ran off 16 unanswered points and grabbed a 31-25 lead with just under a minute left. McGowens broke the Huskers' cold streak with a layup, but the Wildcats grabbed the buzzer beater by Markquis Nowell, and Nebraska trailed 33-27 at the break.
NU roared back, using a 9-0 spurt to open the second half, as the Huskers took a 36-33 lead with 17:30 left following a 3-point play from Lat Mayen.
Nebraska led 47-45 after a 3-point play from Verge with 10:13 left, but a Pack 3-pointer gave the visitors the lead before Bradford scored five straight points to give the visitors a 53-47 lead. Pack's basket with 6:15 left capped a 12-2 spurt and made it an eight-point lead for the visitors.
The Huskers made one last run, scoring five straight points to pull with 59-55 with 2:41 left, but KSU scored four straight, including a 3-pointer from Mark Smith, to make it 63-55.
NU eventually made it 63-57 and had a good look but Tominaga missed a 3-pointer and Kansas State sealed the game with four straight free throws to push the lead back to 10.
The Huskers will close non-conference action on Wednesday, Dec. 22, against Kennesaw State. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. and tickets are available by visiting Huskers.com/Tickets. The game will be carried on ESPNU and the Huskers Radio Network