Sports

Shields scores 15, Huskers start fast in 79-67 victory that ends Red Wolves' 3-game win streak

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Nebraska's Walter Pitchford, left, competes for a rebound against Arkansas State's Kirk Van Slyke (20) and Kelvin Downs (14) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik) (The Associated Press)

Arkansas State's Kirk Van Slyke, center, wins a rebound against Nebraska's Walter Pitchford, top, and Nebraska's Nathan Hawkins, bottom, in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik) (The Associated Press)

Shavon Shields scored 15 points to lead four Nebraska players in double figures, and the Cornhuskers rode a fast start to a 79-67 victory over Arkansas State on Saturday.

Ray Gallegos added 13 points, Walter Pitchford had 12 and Terran Petteway 11 for the Huskers (7-3), who bounced back from a 15-point loss to in-state rival Creighton last Sunday.

Kirk Van Slyke scored a career-high 27 points for Arkansas State (5-3), which was off to its best start in five years and had its three-game win streak end. Melvin Johnson III had 18 points for the Red Hawks, who couldn't overcome 21 turnovers and 38-percent first-half shooting.

The Huskers led by 28 points in the second half, and fans started leaving Pinnacle Bank Arena with just under 12 minutes to play and the Huskers up by 22.