Nebraska survives Valparaiso's late charge

 Brandon Ubel scored 17 points, Ray Gallegosadded 14 and Nebraska overcame a late scoring drought to hold off cold-shooting Valparaiso 50-48 on Thursday night. Gallegos made a career-high four 3-pointers, all of them coming during big runs that helped the Cornhuskers (2-0) build a double-digit cushion against the defending Horizon League champion Crusaders (2-1).

Catch up on all the action on our Big Ten scoreboard and get video, stats and recaps in this post.

[ BOX | AP RECAP | SCOREBOARD | CONNECT WITH FANS & BTN | ALL RAPID RECAPS ]

FINAL: Nebraska's defense shut down Valparaiso, as the Cornhuskers defeated the Crusaders 50-48 on Thursday at Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln. Nebraska (2-0) held Valparaiso (2-1) to 33 percent shooting from the field. The Cornhuskers nearly blew the 14-point lead that Benny Parker gave them on a field goal early in the second half.

Even in defeat, Kevin Van Wijk came through for the Crusaders with 20 points. Brandon Ubel sparked Nebraska, as he scored 17 points for the Cornhuskers in the game. Parker had a quality shooting game, nailing 3-of-5 shots from the field and scoring seven points. Nebraska shot just 37 percent from the field (19-of-51).

The Cornhuskers also got a double-digit contribution from Ray Gallegos, who scored 14. Nebraska trailed 16-11 with 10:41 to go in the first half, but a 16-4 run allowed it to take a seven-point lead late in the first. David Rivers capped the run off with a field goal that helped the Cornhuskers lead 28-22 at the half.

HALFTIME: Nebraska leads 28-22 over Valparaiso at the half thanks to a productive game so far from Ray Gallegos, who has eight points on 3-4 shooting. The Crusaders led 19-16 when the Cornhuskers went on a 9-0 run to take a six-point lead. Nebraska was able to put the clamps on Valparaiso's leading scorer, Ryan Broekhoff. The senior enters halftime with three points, well below his season average of 17. Kevin Van Wijk led the way for the Crusaders in the first half, with eight points.

***

Nebraska's Brandon Ubel dunks in the first half.