Cyclones Drop to Nebraska, 86-84, in OT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - John Robinson made two free throws with 3 seconds left as Nebraska held off Iowa State 86-84 in overtime Saturday.

Iowa State's Marcus Jefferson missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer as the Cornhuskers snapped a four-game losing streak in the series and avenged a last-second victory by the Cyclones a year ago.

Brennon Clemmons and Robinson each finished with 18 points and Cary Cochran scored 14 for the Cornhuskers (9-9 overall, 2-5 Big 12), who prevailed in the foul-filled game between the teams tied for last in the conference.

There were 55 fouls called in the game and five players fouled out before Jefferson's final shot hit the back of the rim, bouncing out and sending Nebraska fans storming to the court.

Iowa State (9-12, 1-6) has lost five straight and 6-of-7. The Cyclones have not opened a conference season at 1-6 since 1993-94. Nebraska was just 23-for-38 on free throw attempts, but was 8-for-10 in the overtime.

Tyray Pearson led Iowa State with 32 points. Jake Sullivan scored 22 and Shane Power finished with 14 points for the Cyclones.

Jake Muhleisen finished with 14 points for Nebraska.

Ross Buckendahl hit a 3-pointer to tie it at 75-all with 1:08 left to play. Buckendahl's only points of the game ended up forcing overtime after each team couldn't convert on chances to pull ahead in the final minute.

Nebraska got the ball back and had the final chance in regulation with 10 seconds left. Clemmons drove for a layup, but was blocked on the shot and the rebound as time expired.

Nebraska turned a five-point halftime deficit into a four-point lead less than three minutes into the second half. Conklin started an 11-2 run with a 3-pointer, John Robinson added a layup and a 3-pointer and Cochran hit a 3 to give Nebraska a 43-39 lead with 17:18 left to play.

Nobody led by more than five the rest of the way.

Iowa State's halftime lead was just 37-32 after the Cyclones hit half their shots in the opening 20 minutes. Iowa State was 14-for-28 in the first half and held Nebraska to just 11-of-28 shooting, but the Cornhuskers were able to stay close with four 3-pointers and three-point plays by Jake Muhleisen and Robinson.

Muhleisen was 2-for-3 on his 3-point attempts, including one just before the buzzer that got Nebraska within five. He had 13 points at halftime.

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Players Mentioned

Marcus Jefferson

Marcus Jefferson

Marcus Jefferson

Tyray Pearson

Tyray Pearson

Shane Power

Shane Power

Jake Sullivan

Jake Sullivan

Jake Sullivan

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