Nebraska 69, No. 22 Oklahoma 63

DALLAS (AP) _ Nebraska came into the Big 12 tournament with a three-game losing streak. Now the Cornhuskers are in the semifinals after winning two in a row. <br/><br/>``A lot of people didn't think

Saturday, March 11th 2006, 10:45 am

By: News On 6

DALLAS (AP) _ Nebraska came into the Big 12 tournament with a three-game losing streak. Now the Cornhuskers are in the semifinals after winning two in a row.

``A lot of people didn't think we had a chance to win a game here,'' Aleks Maric said. ``But it wasn't luck. We played hard and showed what we can do.''

Jamel White had 22 points, including nine straight in the final 2:16, and the Huskers beat No. 22 Oklahoma 69-63 Friday night.

The Huskers (19-12) hadn't won in the conference tournament since 1999 before their opening-round victory over Missouri on Thursday. They followed that by beating Oklahoma for the second time this season.

During their pregame meal Friday, the Huskers watched film of their 59-58 victory over the Sooners in their Big 12 opener Jan. 7. That gave them plenty of confidence.

``No doubt,'' Jason Dourisseau said. ``We know what it takes to beat a team like that. You've got to play them tough, battle them on the glass and possession by possession. It was truly a team effort.''

The game was tied six times and there were 11 lead changes in the second half, the last when Charles Richardson made two free throws with 3:15 left to put the Cornhuskers ahead 56-55.

Terrell Everett missed the front end of a bonus situation for Oklahoma (20-8), then Marcus Walker penetrated and made a short bank shot to make it 58-55. Before Walker made two free throws with 4 seconds left, fellow freshman White scored nine straight points.

White was fouled with 2:16 left and missed the first free throw. He then made seven straight foul shots and added a jumper in a 2-minute spurt.

``That was huge. I mean, they grew up today,'' Dourisseau said. ``This was a big game on a big stage and they both stepped up huge when we needed them to.''

Nebraska, which had never won consecutive games in the Big 12 tournament, plays in the semifinals Saturday against No. 17 Kansas (22-8). The Jayhawks have won 13 of 14 games.

Third-seeded Oklahoma is likely still headed to the NCAA tournament.

``We're supposed to win these games,'' Kevin Bookout said. ``We're supposed to win the Big 12 tournament. That's how we play.''

Only Kansas at 17-6 has a better record in the Big 12 tournament than Oklahoma's 17-7 mark. Both have won the tournament three times.

Since winning four straight one-point games, the Sooners have lost two in a row. They ended the regular season Sunday with a 72-48 loss at Texas.

Oklahoma led 27-23 at halftime after Everett made a 3-pointer and assisted on David Godbold's 3. Those sandwiched a 3-pointer by Nebraska's Marcus Perry, who made the shot from the right corner despite being pushed by Godbold without a foul being called.

``They outplayed us. They were better,'' Neal said. ``They defended hard and played more aggressive. They wanted it more.''