Seniors deserve final home game win

The Nebraska men's basketball team caught a break at the end of the first half Wednesday.

It was about time.

Unlucky possession changes and questionable calls by referees had gone against Nebraska in the final minutes of back-to-back losses to Texas A&M and Kansas State last week.

The Cornhuskers were due a lucky bounce or two. They got one when a desperation 3-pointer by NU's Steve Harley banked in before the shot clock expired to spark a 5-0 Nebraska run at the end of the first half Wednesday.

"I was talking to one of the other coaches in this league earlier (Monday) morning, and he said ‘You know Doc, there's been five games where you've had some tough breaks,'" NU coach Doc Sadler said. "'You need to get some breaks going your way and get some momentum.'"

Harley's shot gave Nebraska the momentum it needed to take what was then a 31-29 deficit and turn it into a 19-point lead with just under six minutes remaining in the second half.

It was fitting that a lucky break sparked the Husker comeback and eventual blowout, and it only seemed right that Harley – NU's senior in a shooting slump – was the beneficiary on Senior Night.

But a happy goodbye to Nebraska's seniors was in jeopardy early. Once again, some bad breaks and questionable officiating led to an Iowa State lead late in the first half.

It seemed every loose ball was bouncing the Cyclone's way.

"I was like, uh-oh, I know this story," Ade Dagunduro said of Nebraska's start to the game. "Seniors have a bad night on senior night."

But Dagunduro and Nebraska's graduating class of 2009 took control. A Nebraska senior tied the game or gave his team the lead five times in the final seven minutes of the first half.

The Cylones took an early 37-34 lead to start the second half before NU's senior class took control once again.

Dagunduro ran across the baseline to get an offensive rebound off a missed 3-pointer by Ryan Anderson, setting up Cookie Miller's 3-pointer that put Nebraska up 42-39 with just more than 17 minutes remaining.

The Huskers never trailed again.

What a way to go out for the seniors. Harley sparked the comeback, Dagunduro tied his career high in points, Nick Krenk got his first career start and Paul Velander drew one more trademark charge call on the Devaney Center floor.

This wasn't a big win for Nebraska – it won't help their seeding in the Big 12 Conference Tournament – but NU needed this one because this senior class deserved a win on a night dedicated to them.

"These guys have worked too hard to go out not winning this last game," Sadler said.

The group won't be remembered for their win total together or because they brought home a championship. But I agree with Sadler – Nebraska's seniors, and this year's team for that matter, has a chance to mean something more substantial to the future of the Husker basketball program.

"They'll be responsible for something that is so much more and so much bigger, and that's their work ethic and their character and pride in this program," Sadler said.

The Huskers have built a foundation for the program with tough, scrappy, high-energy play that Dagunduro said "is what Nebraska basketball is all about."

They've done it with the deck stacked against them – the smallest team in the country playing in one of the most physical conferences you'll find.

"As a coach of this basketball team, I couldn't be any happier," Sadler said. "This team, I don't know that anyone can say when they played us that they didn't get a good effort from us. As a coach, I think that's always the first thing that you look for. But, at the same time, at some point – kids have to be rewarded."

The reward finally came Wednesday night. It was hard-earned and long overdue.

Fitting for this group.

kris knowlton is a senior news-editorial major. reach him at krisknowlton@dailynebraskan.com