National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Nebraska 79, Florida Gulf Coast 55
When: 9:00 PM ET, Friday, November 8, 2013
Where: Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, Nebraska
Officials: # Chris Beaver, # Frank Spencer, # Terry Wymer
Attendance: 15119

Nebraska 79, Florida Gulf Coast 55: Shavon Shields put up 28 points - one shy of matching a career-high - as the host Cornhuskers opened Pinnacle Bank Arena with a decisive victory over the Eagles.

Shields hit all 12 of his free throws, and came up with a team-high six rebounds for Nebraska (1-0). Terran Petteway scored 17 points while Benny Parker and Tai Webster notched nine points apiece.

Jamail Jones, a transfer from Marquette, had 17 points, and Bernard Thompson came up with 12 for Florida Gulf Coast (0-1). Chase Fieler and Brett Comer, key members of last season's Sweet 16 team, combined for eight points on 3-of-9 shooting.

Shields scored 14 points points in the first half as Nebraska built at 39-27 advantage. The Cornhuskers hit 14-of-24 field goals before the break, compared to just 8-of-22 for the Eagles.

Walter Pitchford added seven points for Nebraska. Filip Cvjeticanin had 10 points for Florida Gulf Coast, which committed 16 turnovers.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Cornhuskers made 24-of-31 free throws. ... Nebraska outscored the Eagles 20-7 in the first eight minutes of the second half. ... The Cornhuskers will host Western Illinois on Tuesday, while the Eagles return home to play Hartford.
Top Game Performances
 
Florida Gulf Coast   Nebraska
Jamail Jones 17 Scoring Shavon Shields 28
Brett Comer 3 Assists Shavon Shields 3
Jamail Jones 8 Rebounds Shavon Shields 6
Jamail Jones 6 Free Throws Made Shavon Shields 12
Filip Cvjeticanin 2 Steals Benny Parker 2
Nate Hicks 2 Blocks Leslee Smith 1
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Florida Gulf Coast 55 44.2 6-15 11-21 8 19 2 3 16
Nebraska 79 52.1 5-10 24-31 6 28 1 7 9