Blackett brings road show home
By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer
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| Hawai'i forward Jeff Blackett slams down two of his 17 points over Nebraska's Corey Simms. Blackett has played a valuable role in recent road games and in last night's victory over the Cornhuskers.
Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser |
Blackett scored 17 points last night as the Rainbow Warriors defeated Nebraska, 84-83, in a second-round game of the National Invitation Tournament at the Stan Sheriff Center.
"There was a lot of energy, every one was setting great picks and I was wide open, and I should make those shots," said Blackett, who made 7 of 8 field goals. "It felt really good; hopefully that's what sparked us a little bit."
In his previous four games, all on the road, he averaged 11.3 points and 3 rebounds a game.
This season, Blackett has scored in double figures 12 times — seven times on the road. His season-high is 19 points in a game at San Jose State.
Last Wednesday in an 85-74 upset of No. 25 Utah State in the first round of the NIT, Blackett made 9 of 12 shots for 18 points and also contributed six rebounds and three assists.
The junior from Ogden, Utah, is the top reserve for the Rainbow Warriors, scoring 7.8 points and grabbing 3.3 rebounds per game.
"He's been doing it for us this year, he's got some good games this year coming off the bench, and he doesn't mind coming off the bench," Hawai'i coach Riley Wallace said. "He's picked up for Phil (Martin) at times and tonight it was for Haim (Shimonovich) who got into foul trouble."
Last night he scored all eight of Hawai'i's points over a two-minute span, giving it a 74-66 lead with 7:04 remaining in the game.
"It seemed like he was hitting every shot he took," senior guard Michael Kuebler said. "He was able to step up and hit some really big shots, he's been able to do that all year.
"He started off a little shaky in the beginning of the season, but he's gotten better every game and I think his confidence is starting to go up."
Blackett grabbed Hawai'i's final rebound with two seconds remaining after a Nebraska miss.
The Cornhuskers fouled him, and he made the second of two free-throw attempts with 3.9 seconds left to give Hawai'i an 84-80 lead. It turned out to be crucial, because Nebraska's Marcus Neal Jr. sank a 3-pointer as time expired, for the final score.
"I missed six in a row, so you have to give him credit for making the one that counted," said Kuebler, who was 1 of 7 on free-throw attempts. "I couldn't get it done, so he was able to step up and knock it down."
Wallace only had one regret about Blackett's game: "It's a shame because his wife (Lindsey) is on vacation, and she didn't get to see this," he said.
Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2457.
