LINCOLN, Neb. (AP)—Aleks Maric had 21 points, 16 rebounds, four blocked shots and four steals as Nebraska used a smothering defense to shut down Alabama A&M 59-45 on Saturday.
Nebraska (2-0) stifled the Bulldogs with an attacking defense that grabbed 14 steals and held A&M to just 28 percent shooting.
Alabama A&M (1-3) made just six shots in the first half, including three in the first four minutes of the game. Four of the baskets were 3-pointers.
The Huskers used a 19-3 run to go up 22-10 on Cookie Miller’s steal and layup midway through the first half.
A&M got just two 3-pointers in the first six minutes of the second half while Nebraska expanded its lead. The Huskers used a 13-3 spurt to go up 47-26 on Steve Harley’s 8-foot jumper with 14 minutes left.
The Huskers hit a scoring drought and went nearly six minutes between baskets, but the Bulldogs could only cut the lead to 10 after an 8-0 run.
Maric responded with a short hoop with 2:20 left and hit a pair of free throws in the final minute.
Ryan Anderson had 10 points for Nebraska. Hilton Evans led A&M with 16.
