LINCOLN, Neb., March 19 (UPI) -- Nate Johnson scored eight of his 17 points in the final 91 seconds Friday night, lifting Nebraska to a 78-70 first-round NIT win over Niagara.
John Turek scored 17 points and Brian Conklin added 14 for the Cornhuskers (18-12), who will face Hawaii in the second round.
Nebraska was clinging to a 64-61 lead after a three-point play by Niagara's Juan Mendez, who scored 27 points. Mendez missed a potential tying three-pointer, and Johnson -- who made the game-winning shot in an opening-round win over Creighton -- sank a jumper at the other end.
Johnson made two free throws with 57 seconds to go, then answered two foul shots by Tremmell Darden with two of his own for a 70-63 lead with 48 seconds remaining. Nebraska made its final 12 free throws.
