For the first time in program history, Nebraska men’s basketball will play in the Sweet 16.
The fourth-seeded Cornhuskers defeated fifth-seeded Vanderbilt 74-72 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday night inside Paycom Center in Oklahoma City and will play the No. 1 Florida-No. 9 Iowa winner in Houston.
An incredible back-and-forth game, Nebraska’s victory came down to the wire and the final minute included each team trading blows.
Tyler Tanner gave Vanderbilt (27-9) a 72-70 lead on a layup with 58 seconds remaining before Nebraska’s Rienk Mast scored on a tip-in with 37 seconds left.
Nebraska’s Braden Frager made a layup with two seconds left before Tanner launched a shot from beyond halfcourt that was just off the mark as it went in and out of the rim.
Tanner had a game-high 27 points. Pryce Sandfort and Braden Frager each had 15 points for Nebraska (28-6), which was essentially playing a home game as Cornhusker fans filled Paycom Center, creating an electric environment throughout the night after the program got its first NCAA Tournament win Thursday in a 76-47 victory over Troy.
Nebraska’s Braden Frager makes a layup with two seconds left to put Nebraska ahead 74-72. Tyler Tanner tries to win the game on a shot beyond half court and is barely off the mark as it bounces in and out of the rim. The Cornhuskers are headed to the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history.
Nebraska’s Berke Buyuktuncel made a layup with 6:26 left to cut Vanderbilt’s lead to 64-62 before Tyler Nickel drilled a 3-pointer for Vanderbilt and Pryce Sandfort hit a jumper to pull Nebraska to within three points. It’s coming down to the wire, so a thrilling finish might be in store.
Tyler Tanner gives Vanderbilt a 64-60 lead on a corner 3-pointer with 6:46 remaining and is up to 25 points. Braden Frager leads Nebraska with 13 points off the bench.
Vanderbilt takes its first lead of the game as AK Okereke hits a 3-pointer with 8:26 left before Nebraska calls a timeout. Vanderbilt’s Tyler Tanner leads all scorers with 22 points. He’s had six points since hitting a 3-pointer with 10:19 remaining.
Back-and-forth start to the second half, and Vanderbilt is still in striking distance after trailing by seven at halftime. Vanderbilt’s Tyler Tanner has been held to just one point after scoring 15 in the first half, while Tyler Nickel is up to 10 points for the game. Rienk Mast and Jamarques Lawrence each have nine points for Nebraska.
Great first half for Nebraska. Rienk Mast leads the team with nine points after hitting 3 of 4 shots from behind the arc, while Pryce Sandfort and Braden Frager each have eight points. Tyler Tanner has 15 points for Vanderbilt. And although this isn’t technically a home game for Nebraska, it feels like it inside Paycom Center as Cornhusker fans have packed the arena, providing energy throughout the night.
Nebraska continues to lead as Rienk Mast has nine points and Braden Frager is up to eight off the bench. Tyler Tanner is playing extremely well for Vanderbilt and has 13 points.
Tyler Tanner is keeping Vanderbilt in the game and is up to 11 points. Meanwhile, Rienk Mast is having a great performance for Nebraska. He has nine points and is 3 of 3 from 3-point range.
Nebraska remains in control, but Vanderbilt is battling as Tyler Tanner is leading the way with eight points. Rienk Mast has six points for Nebraska after hitting two 3-pointers, and Jamarques Lawrence has five points.
Great start for Nebraska. Rienk Mast has hit two 3-pointers and Berke Buyuktuncel has made one. The Cornhuskers are feeding off the packed crowd in attendance and have made a strong opening statement.
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday, March 20
Nebraska 80, Vanderbilt 69: Nebraska will have a massive home-court advantage. Fred Hoiberg’s squad no longer faces the pressure of winning the program’s first NCAA Tournament game. Now the Huskers can just go out there and play. —Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman
Saturday at Paycom Center (all games on TNT):
Isa Almeida is a trending reporter for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Isa? She can be reached at ialmeida@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @ialmeidasports. Support Isa’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
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