LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska used a 14-1 run to pull away from a pesky Maine team to open up the 2022-23 men's basketball season with 79-66 win.

After taking a 12-point lead into the locker room at halftime, Nebraska saw the Black Bears pull within one point on a Gedi Juozapaitis three-pointer seven minutes into the second half.

The Huskers responded by holding Maine without a field goal for the next 4:59. Keisei Tominaga and Lincoln East grad Sam Griesel combined to score nine points during the Huskers' decisive 14-1 run.

Griesel, a North Dakota State transfer, scored a game-high 22 points, while Tominaga scored 19 points off the bench.

Juozapaitis led Maine with 20 points.

It was just the second-season opening win for the Huskers in the past four seasons. Nebraska will aim for its first 2-0 start since 2018 when they host in-state foe Omaha on Thursday.