Box Score (PDF/HTML)

VALPARAISO, Ind. – The Omaha men's basketball team picked up its second victory of the season on Saturday evening, defeating Chicago State 68-66 in the final game of the Joe Cipriano Nebraska Classic at Valparaiso's Athletics-Recreation Center. With the win, the Mavericks snapped a five-game losing skid and are now 2-5 on the year, while the Cougars drop to 1-5.

Junior guard Justin Simmons finished with a game-leading 17 points, four rebounds, two steals and an assist. The Milwaukee, Wis., native hit a 3-pointer with 1:15 left to give Omaha the lead for good after a back-and-forth game.

Junior guard Alex Phillips matched Simmons with 17 points and four boards, finishing with 6-for-10 shooting from the field and a perfect 4-for-4 effort from the line. Phillips added three steals for the night.

Junior guard Caleb Steffensmeier also had a double-figure scoring effort with a season-high 11 points, two 3-pointers, five rebounds, two helpers and a steal. Freshman Marcus Tyus led the Mavericks on the boards with six rebounds, and junior center John Karhoff chipped in eight points, five rebounds and a team-leading five assists.

As a team, UNO shot 49 percent from the field and 73 percent from the free throw line. 

 

Jeremy Robinson and Greg Tucker had 14 points apiece for Chicago State, and Robinson pulled down 11 rebounds. Matt Ross added 13 points, and Tucker and Ross each hit three 3-pointers. 

The close contest saw neither team manage more than a six-point lead at any point. After Simmons' go-ahead 3-pointer, Phillips and Steffensmeier combined to make three free throws in the final minute to secure the win.

Omaha returns to action on Thursday, Nov. 29, traveling to North Dakota State for the Mavs' Summit League opener. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at Bentson Bunker Field House in Fargo, N.D., and the game will be broadcast live on 1180 AM. Links to live stats, audio and video will be available on OMavs.com.