Men's Basketball Falls To Nebraska, 72-64
Dec. 16, 2000
By MARK LONG
AP Sports Writer
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) – Steffon Bradford had 21 points and nine rebounds asNebraska beat Miami 72-64 on Saturday in the Orange Bowl Classic.
Bradford scored eight points in the Cornhuskers’ decisive 15-5 run early inthe second half. Cookie Belcher and Kevin Augustine scored 12 points apiece forNebraska (4-3). Augustine scored all of his points in the second half.
Bradford, a 6-foot-6 stocky forward, outhustled Miami for many of hispoints, getting several putbacks and layups. The senior from nearby Clewistonhad four of Nebraska’s 14 offensive rebounds.
He was named the game’s most valuable player. He immediately carried the MVPtrophy into the stands, where about a dozen of his friends and family werewaiting with a standing ovation, and gave the keepsake to his mom.
John Salmons led the Hurricanes (4-3) with 14 points and six rebounds. Hewas one of only two Miami players in double figures. Joe Gordon added 11points. Miami has lost three of its last four.
Darius Rice, the Hurricanes’ leading scorer at 16 points per game, was heldto eight points on 3-of-10 shooting. He did not score in the first half,missing much of the period after banging his head on the floor.
Rice’s 3-pointer gave Miami a 33-32 second-half lead, but it didn’t lastvery long.
The Cornhuskers jumped back in front on the ensuing possession and startedthe 15-5 run. Still, that wasn’t their biggest lead.
Augustine’s 3-point attempt with two minutes to play – and with the shotclocking winding down – hit hard off the front of the rim and bounced straightup and fell through the net to give Nebraska a 66-55 lead.
The Cornhuskers hung on from there.
Miami had plenty of chances to make a comeback, especially with Augustine onthe free throw line in the closing minutes.
Playing in the second game of his career, the junior guard made just one offive free throw attempts in the final 1:10.
