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Freshman Pardon Scores 28, Leads Wildcats Over Huskers

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Freshman Dererk Pardon had 28 points and 12 rebounds in his second college game, and Northwestern came back from a 12-point second-half deficit to defeat Nebraska, 81-72, on Wednesday.

The Wildcats (13-1, 1-0 Big Ten) won their 10th straight game and are off to their best start since 1930-31. The Cornhuskers (8-6, 0-1) are 0-5 in Big Ten openers since joining the conference in 2011-12.

Pardon had 23 points in the second half to help bring the Wildcats back from a halftime deficit for the third time in four games. The 6-foot-8, 230-pounder made 11 of 14 shots from the field and had seven offensive rebounds — six in the second half. Tre Demps finished with 17 points and Aaron Falzon with 12 for the Wildcats, who made 8 of 9 free throws in the last 1:34.

Andrew White made 5 of 8 3-pointers and scored 22 points to lead the Huskers, and Benny Parker had career highs with 17 points and five 3s.

The Wildcats were playing their second game without 7-footer Alex Olah, who's out indefinitely with a foot injury. Northwestern coach Chris Collins brought Pardon out of a planned redshirt season on Sunday, and the freshman played like a veteran.

The Huskers had no answer for Pardon in the low post, and he scored nine points over eight minutes to help the Wildcats whittle a 51-39 deficit to three points. Scottie Lindsey's 3-pointer from the corner tied it 60-60 with 7 minutes left.

Nebraska went nearly 5 minutes without a field goal late in the half, and the Wildcats pulled away.

It was the second straight game Northwestern came back after being down double digits. The Wildcats erased a 14-point deficit to beat Loyola (Maryland) on Sunday.

Northwestern, down 16-10, scored on seven of eight possessions to take a 28-24 lead and looked as if it had all the momentum. Falzon made three straight 3-pointers during the 18-8 spurt.

But the Wildcats couldn't rein in Parker, who kept Nebraska close with four 3s in the first half. The Huskers led 38-35 at half after White made a 3-pointer and a fade-away jumper after a Northwestern shot-clock violation.

TIP-INS

Northwestern: The Wildcats held a 40-25 rebounding advantage. ... Bryant McIntosh, coming off a 33-point game against Loyola, was held to 11 but had eight assists against one turnover. ... Guard Jordan Ash was teammates with Nebraska's Glynn Watson Jr. at Westchester (Illinois) St. Joseph High ...

Nebraska: Parker had seven assists and two steals to go with his 17 points and five 3s. ... Lost for the first time in five all-time meetings with Northwestern in Lincoln.

(© 2015 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.)

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