Nebraska dispatches WIU 62-47

LINCOLN, Neb. — Walter Pitchford scored all 14 of his points in the first half to lead four Nebraska players in double figures, and the Cornhuskers defeated Western Illinois 62-47 on Tuesday night to give Tim Miles his 300th coaching victory.

The Huskers (2-0) played their second game without the suspended Ray Gallegos but had no problem against an opponent picked to finish fourth in the Summit League. They led by 23 points in the middle of the second half in a solid follow-up to their 24-point win over Florida Gulf Coast in last Friday’s opener.

Terran Petteway had 13 points and nine rebounds, Shavon Shields added 13 points and reserve Leslee Smith had 10 points, five rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot.

Tate Stensgaard scored 10 points and Michael Ochereobia added eight points and eight rebounds for the Leathernecks (0-2).

Miles, who came to Nebraska last year after five seasons at Colorado State, is 300-238 at five schools over 19 years.

This wasn’t one of his more difficult victories. The Huskers built a double-digit lead by the middle of the first half and have not trailed in either of their games.

The 6-foot-10 Pitchford, a transfer from Florida, showed his shooting touch from the perimeter for the second straight game.

After making both of his 3s against Florida Gulf Coast, he hit a couple 3-pointers and scored 11 points during a 19-5 spurt that pushed Nebraska’s lead to 31-14. He finished 5 of 9 from the field, including 3 of 6 on 3s.

The Leathernecks couldn’t find any rhythm in the first half. After committing a total of 10 turnovers in their opener, they had nine by halftime and shot just 32 percent while falling behind 36-17. They finished with 15 turnovers and shot 38 percent.

Garret Covington, who scored 22 points in the Leathernecks’ season-opening loss at Idaho, was held to five points on 2-of-11 shooting.

Nebraska and Western Illinois played for the first time since 2001, and the Huskers have won all five meetings.