National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Kansas St. 61, Nebraska 57
When: 9:00 PM ET, Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Where: Bob Devaney Sports Center, Lincoln, Nebraska
Officials: # Kipp Kissinger, # Terry Oglesby, # Kelly Self
Attendance: 12178

Jacob Pullen scored 27 points and hit the clinching free throws in the final seconds as visiting Kansas State held off Nebraska, 61-57, in a battle of Big 12 bubble teams on Wednesday.

Rodney McGruder added 11 points and eight rebounds for the Wildcats (19-9, 7-6 Big 12), who have won three straight and five of six to move into sole possession of fifth place in the Big 12. They also put themselves back in a strong position to earn an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament.

Lance Jeter collected 11 points and seven boards for the Cornhuskers (18-9, 6-7), who had their three-game winning streak snapped.

It went back and forth throughout the second half, with Kansas State building up a lead of as much as 48-42 on Pullen’s layup with 7:50 left. Neither team could manage a field goal over the next 3:32, but Nebraska took advantage of a technical foul to hit four straight free throws and pull within 48-47.

The Cornhuskers never managed to retake the lead as Pullen hit four free throws over the final 12 seconds to keep the Wildcats ahead.
Top Game Performances
 
Kansas St.   Nebraska
Jacob Pullen 27 Scoring Lance Jeter 11
Jacob Pullen 2 Assists Lance Jeter 3
Rodney McGruder 8 Rebounds Lance Jeter 7
Jacob Pullen 10 Free Throws Made Brandon Richardson 5
Jacob Pullen 2 Steals Jorge Brian Diaz 2
Jordan Henriquez-Roberts 3 Blocks Jorge Brian Diaz 4
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Kansas St. 61 36.2 4-14 23-32 4 29 6 6
Nebraska 57 34.7 5-13 18-27 10 30 6 7