The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, January 28, 1999, Page 11, Image 11
Huskers look to end road woes vs. ISU ISU from page 9 become a touchy subject. Even more so since the promising Huskers were thumped 70-53 by the Buffaloes last weekend. Nebraska, 14-5 overall, 3-3 in the Big 12 Conference, enters tonight’s game in Ames, Iowa, after losing its last three confer ence games on the road. In fact, NU hasn’t won away from their home gym since a Dec. 6 victory in Omaha against Creighton. In contrast, Nebraska has been undefeated and dominating at the Bob Devaney Sports Center this season. Husker guard Brooke Schwartz said her team “has to play a lot tougher on the road” if they are going to complete one of its team goals - winning the Big 12 Championship. Schwartz said a road win against the Cyclones, leaders of the Big 12’s North Division, would benefit NU in other ways besides standings. The Huskers could use a boost of road-warrior confi dence right now. “A win at Iowa State would help us get back on our feet,” Schwartz said. “We need to learn that we can win without our home crowd. “We need to learn how to feed off their crowd.” Sanderford said his team needs to play with more mental toughness to beat the Cyclones. “You have to be resilient in this game,” he said. “We have to be more conservative on the road and give ourselves a chance to win the game with two minutes left” A bit earlier, Sanderford sar castically vented a slew of frus trations about his squad’s effort at Coiorado. The coach answered a few more good questions that were never asked. Howr big of a disappointment was the game? “1 didn 't think they ever gave me a chance to coach.” he said. “I might as well have stayed home and watched the game on TV.” The Buskers’ half-court offense against the Buffaloes? “It's stuff I haven’t seen before,'’ Sanderford said. “I guess they must have dreamed it up.” How about Nebraska’s team play Saturday? “It looked like I picked up five girls before the game and said, ‘Let’s play some basket ball,”’ Sanderford said. “We were scattered and I wash I could put my finger on it.” NU forward Naciska Gilmore might have the answer. “We need to go out and play Nebrasketball,” she said. “We have to be more physical and out-hustle the other team. We haven’t been doing that on the road.” Near the end of the press con ference, Sanderford said he had heard enough about his team’s away-from-home performances. “I hope I never have to talk about this again,” he said. “But hey, we’re 14-5, it’s not like it’s a funeral.” The Huskers, however, need to figure out a way to play better on the road soon - preferably tonight. Otherwise, many of their team goals might already be dead in the tracks. NU beats KU, wins 5th straight WIN from page 9 All-Star travel squad, mirrored his colleague's numbers with 20 points and 12 boards of his own. He did most of that damage in the first half, scor ing 14 points. “Chenowith, in the first half, was domineering,” Nee said. “I thought he got his way in the first half.” Silently, KU guard Kenny Gregory, who came off the bench, led ali scorers with 21 points. The Huskers also had three other players in double digits - including guard Cookie Belcher, who also poured it on in the second period with 10 of his 16 points. Belcher also dished out six assists. Off the bench, guard Cary Cochran posted 13 points as the Huskers were again buffeted by strong play from the bench. Cochran w'as 3 of 4 behind the 3-point line. Chad Johnson and Troy Piatkowski cashed in 8 and 7 points, respectively. “Kansas is a great team,” Cochran said. “But if you go in thinking they’re Goliath, you don't have a chance.” With a victory over KU as a fresh feather in their hat, the Huskers seem to have turned a corner in terms of what now becomes the beginning of the rest of the season. For one thing, NU has a shot at its first conference title in 50 years. Granted, the Huskers are 1.5 games behind Texas, but the streak could continue. For another, it’s Nebraska's second win over a ranked team this season The first came against Oklahoma on Jan. 20. Even though the Huskers made it to the NCAA Tournament last year, they beat no ranked teams. Beginning with that win on the road over Oklahoma on Jan. 20, Husker senior forward Andy Markowski said he’s felt rejuvenation and a sense of renewing confidence in the team’s chances this year. “I feel great,” Markowski said. “It’s like something’s lifted off my back. I was 0-9 against them playing here. I'll take 1-10.” The Huskers now travel to Ames, Iowa, for a game against the Iowa State Cyclones. Although the game is on the road, the Huskers have won at Hilton Coliseum the last two seasons, includ ing a 70-62 victory last season that capped a six-game conference win streak for Nebraska. Can NU get a win at Ames for another six-game win streak? Maybe. And maybe, Nee said afterward, the Huskers got something e'se with their win over KU on Wednesday. “Maybe some of the magic’s back,” Nee said. “This is probably our best win so far and that’s because we had a full house. People came and saw us take out a quality basketball team.” . j No. 20 Kansas goes arid, drops second in a row WILLIAMS from page 9 “That was huge,” Chenowith said. “Those quick baskets almost kill you. It was such a momentum shift, too.” The momentum appeared to be with KU at the end of the first half, after Chenowith hit a 3 pointer with 15 seconds remain ing to give the Jayhawks a 38-37 halftime lead. It was their first lead of the game after trailing by as manv as 9. “Coach (Matt) Doherty actu ally was talking before the game about (me shooting 3-pointers),” Chenowith said. “Against Missouri, we were trying to get up 3s up at end of game, and he said you got to shoot it because you will get the most open look at it.” Chenowith, however, did most of his damage inside in the first half, scoring 14 points on 5 5 field goals and 3-6 free throws. But the sophomore struggled in the second half, making just 3 13 shots to finish with 20 points. “He tried to rush everything j so much,” Williams said. “You j can’t shoot the ball until you get a grip on it. “He took a couple of bad | shots. 1 like his aggressiveness ! and try ing to do it. ” One bright spot for KU was i the play of sophomore guard Kenny Oregon/. Gregory, who didn't start for J the first time this season, came off the bench to score a game high 21 points. “I w'as really determined,” Gregory said With the loss, KU dropped out of first place in the conference, and into a three-way tie for sec ond. Texas at 7-1 leads the league. “I think Texas is head and shoulders above everybody in the league,” Williams said. “They will probably be favored in every game they have left with maybe the exception of at Oklahoma State. But every body that has two losses right now is still in the pack ”