Erick Strickland scored 19 points and Jaron Boone added 15 for Nebraska (18-14), which had lost 10 of its previous 11 games.
DelMonte Madison led Colorado State (18-12) with 21 points. Nebraska shot 64 percent in the second half and held Colorado State scoring leader David Evans to nine points, only two in the second half when Nebraska outscored Colorado State 52-38.The Rams hadn't played a postseason game since losing to Alabama in the first round of the 1990 NCAA tournament.
St. Joseph's 82, Iona 78
At New Rochelle, N.Y., Mark Bass scored 22 points and Dmitri Domani added 21 as St. Joseph's beat Iona 82-78 Thursday night in the first round of the NIT. Reggie Townsend added 13 points and Terrell Myers 11 for the Hawks.
Washington St. 92, Gonzaga 73
At Pullman, Wash., Mark Hendrickson scored 24 points for Washington State (17-11), which plays Nebraska on Tuesday. Lorenzo Rollins scored 30 points for Gonzaga (20-9).