Huskers head to Hawaii on Monday

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- The Nebraska basketball team is going to Hawaii, and the Cornhuskers say they'll be all business even if they are going to a place better known as a destination for pleasure.

The Huskers set up a Monday NIT game against the Rainbow Warriors by beating Niagara 78-70 on Friday night.

John Turek and Nate Johnson had 17 points apiece, and the Huskers (18-12) made 12-of-12 free throws in the final 57 seconds to secure the victory.

"I'd like to say we're going to play just another road game," Turek said, "but it will be a fun trip."

A win against Hawaii would move the Huskers to the NIT quarterfinals.

"Every single guy is going out each night knowing it could be our last game," Turek said. "We want to keep this going."

Juan Mendez scored 27 points to lead Niagara (22-10). James Reaves had 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Purple Eagles.

Brian Conklin, who made three 3-pointers, added 14 points for the Huskers.

Nebraska, which led the Big 12 in field-goal and scoring defense, held Niagara to 40-percent shooting. Tremmell Darden, who had 26 points in the Eagles' win over Troy State on Tuesday, was held to 11.

"It was no surprise that their defense was as good as it is," Niagara coach Joe Mihalich said. "We didn't shoot well, but neither did the Big 12.

"I'm proud of our guys. We came into very difficult circumstances and had 10,000-plus people in red shirts cheering against us. Our guys really responded, and we had some chances."

After Niagara had tied the game at 52 in the middle of the second half, Jason Dourisseau hit a layup and free throw and Andrew Drevo picked up a loose ball and put it in for a five-point Nebraska lead.

Johnson's spinning left-handed layup gave the Huskers a 44-40 advantage early in the second half, but Alvin Cruz made a 3-pointer to make it a one-point game for Niagara.

Nebraska coach Barry Collier said his team got the tough game he expected from Niagara, which finished second to Manhattan in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

"We knew that was a little extra ammunition for us knowing that Manhattan handled Florida in the NCAA tournament and that we were playing the second team out of that league," Collier said.

Mendez, a junior, and Reaves and Darden, both seniors, combined for 50 of the Eagles' 70 points.

"We had an incredible year," Mihalich said. "These guys played like champions tonight and I'm very proud of them. They left their mark on Niagara University.

"It was fitting for the seniors that their last game was in a big-game atmosphere because as far as I'm concerned, they are big-time seniors."