Nebraska jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead, but Tommie Liddell III and Kevin Lisch both drained mid-range jumpers to pull the Billikens into a 4-4 tie. The Cornhuskers moved out to a 9-4 lead, before two straight hoops by Ruben Cotton drew SLU to 9-8 seven minutes into the game.
However, the Billikens went more than four minutes without scoring as NU went up 19-8. Willie Reed had a reverse layup, and a drive by Liddell brought the Billikens back to 19-12 midway through the half. Brian Conklin scored inside and hit two free throws, but consecutive 3-pointers put Nebraska up 27-16.
Cotto's long trey cut the lead to single digits 27-19 with 4:32 left in the first half. Conklin's three-point play cut the gap to 31-26. After a Nebraska score, Cotto came off a curl and swished a 3-pointer from the right baseline as the Billikens pulled to 33-29.
Nebraska scored the last four points of the half to take a 37-29 lead at intermission. Cotto provided a boost off the bench with 10 points, while Conklin added nine for SLU in the opening 20 minutes.
One free throw by Reed and another 3-point sequence by Conklin edged the Billikens to 39-33 just over one minute into the second half. Nebraska's Sek Henry scored five straight points to rebuild the NU lead to 44-33.
Kevin Lisch drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key as the Billikens drew back to single digits at 44-36. Nebraska still led by 11, but Conklin stole the ball for a layup and another SLU steal led to an easy Conklin bucket as the Billikens pulled to 52-45 at the 11: 50 mark.
A Liddell drive to the hoop kept the margin at seven 54-47, but the Cornhuskers scored nine straight points as the Billikens went over six minutes without scoring. A Reed jumper finally ended the SLU drought, but the Cornhuskers did not allow the Billikens to make a final push.
Conklin led the Billikens with a season-high 18 points and added six rebounds, including five on the offensive end. Ruben Cotto also recorded double-digit points with 10 all coming in the first half.
Sek Henry led Nebraska with 19 points, while Ade Dagunduro added 14.
The Billikens even their record at 2-2, while the Cornhuskers remain unbeaten at 4-0.
The Billikens return to action on Saturday, Nov. 29, when they travel to face Detroit.