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After a slow start, the Nebraska Cornhusker basketball team overtook and eventually ran away with a 71-39 win over Hastings College.
Christian Standhardinger led the Huskers with 18 points in their final exhibition game. It will be the last action Standhardinger sees until conference season. Nebraska used a waiver to get the native of Germany onto the team, and he won’t be eligible to play until after the 15th game of the season.
The freshman shot 7-for-11 and was a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. Toney McCray scored 11, and Lance Jeter added 10 points in the win.
“I think I did OK,” Standhardinger said. “I’m not excited about my game. There is a lot to improve on the defensive end like Coach, said but also offensively I missed shots. That gets on my nerves.”
Standhardinger said it will be a challenge to stay motivated during his time off.
“I would disrespect the fans if I don’t work really hard,” Standhardinger said.
He’s already started a countdown on his locker, but during his time off he plans to work on his defense.
“I talked with (strength coach) Rusty (Ruffcorn), and I don’t think I am strong enough yet to guard the four man in the Big 12,” Standhardinger said.
Standhardinger’s struggles aside, the Huskers defense clamped down on the Broncos after allowing 66 points to Arkansas’ Fort Smith last weekend. Hastings could only muster 41 points, shooting 21 percent from the field.
Nebraska coach Doc Sadler was pleased with his team’s effort. He said the exhibition was an opportunity for the Huskers to continue to improve as a team but that the group still has a long way to go.
“I thought our defense was pretty good,” Sadler said. “Transition defense I was happy with. We keep the ball out of the lane.”
The coach is concerned with his team’s 3-point shooting. Nebraska has only made four 3-pointers in two games.
“One of the things we’ve got to figure out is shooting the 3-point shot,” Sadler said. “We’ve got to do better. I think we can make them.”
Nebraska will open its regular season schedule with South Carolina Upstate on Saturday night at the Bob Devaney Sports Center at 7 p.m.
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