Omaha basketball opens season with win over NAIA's Mid-American Christian

Omaha was pushed in the second half by NAIA's Mid-America Christian before the Mavs picked up an 85-69 win in their season-opener Monday night at Baxter Arena.

UNO shot 57.7% from the field but wasn't able to shake Mid-America, an NAIA squad playing its fourth game this season.

Four Mavs scored at least 12 points as Tony Osburn led the way with 16, including four 3s. JJ White had 10 of his 14 points in the second half, while Grant Stubblefield also had 14 and three steals.

Mid-America, 3-0 against NAIA opponents this year after going 24-9 last year, was within 21-20 with 11 minutes left in the first half.

But Grant Stubblefield came off the bench and made a 3 and two layups to stretch the lead to 28-22. That was the start of a 24-8 run as the Mavs led by 17 at halftime. UNO shot 65.5% (19 of 29) from the field in the first half.

Mid-America, though, outplayed UNO most of the second half. It went on a 15-4 run midway through the second half to cut its deficit to 67-59. UNO then scored 10 straight, including six from White, and was in front by at least 12 the rest of the way.

Marquel Sutton, who scored 27 in UNO's exhibition last week, had four points before leaving with an ankle injury with 4:23 left in the first half. He didn't return.

UNO will play its next seven away from home beginning with games at Stetson on Thursday and Minnesota on Saturday.

, 402-444-1038, twitter.com/GeneOWH