Jerry Bennett had a double-double as five players scored in double figures, leading the University of Nebraska-Omaha over Colorado State-Pueblo, 82-62, Friday night at the UNO Thanksgiving Classic at Sapp Fieldhouse.
The Mavericks start the season 3-0 for the first time in three years, while the Thunderwolves fall to 1-2.
Andrew Bridger scored 15 to lead UNO, with 12 coming in the first half.
Jerry Bennett recorded his first double-double as a Maverick, scoring 14 with a team-high 12 rebounds. The team's leading scorer the first two games,
Michael Jenkins, scored 12, with
Justin Petersen and
Mitch Albers scoring 11 each.
Bennett made his presence felt throughout the first half, scoring 12 points on 5-of-5 shooting, with eight rebounds. Bridger hit back-to-back 3-pointers to stake the Mavs to a nine-point lead midway through the half. But the Thunderwolves would answer back with seven straight points to narrow the gap to two. The Mavs continued their consistent offensive attack and restored the lead to as many as 12, taking a 45-36 lead into halftime.
Bridger and Petersen hit 3-pointers to start the second half, as UNO scored 10 straight to open up a 19-point lead. From that point on, the Mavs would trail by no less.
Ty McTyer led CSUP with 13 points, adding eight rebounds. Brian Sewald was the top rebounder with nine, scoring five points.
The Mavericks next play Montana State-Billings for the first time ever, Saturday at 8 p.m. in the tournament finale.
