Vanderbilt basketball managed to take the lead for a moment in the second half, but could not hang on in the second round of the Men’s NCAA Tournament.
No. 4 seed Nebraska beat No. 5 seed Vanderbilt 74-72 at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on March 21. Braden Frager made the game-winning layup with 2.1 seconds remaining. Vanderbilt guard Tyler Tanner’s miracle heave attempt rimmed out at the buzzer.
Vanderbilt (27-9) missed out on returning to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2007. Nebraska will face the winner of No. 1 Florida or No. 9 Iowa.
Tanner propelled the Commodores throughout the game. The star guard finished with 27 points.
The Cornhuskers (28-6) jumped out to a 14-4 lead in the opening minutes in front of a dominant Nebraska crowd. The Commodores did not take their first lead until 8:26 was left, when AK Okereke made a 3-pointer.
Vanderbilt is up 70-68 with 1:42 remaining. AK Okereke made a corner 3-pointer.
Vanderbilt has its first lead of the game after AK Okereke made a 3-pointer. It put the Commodores up 58-55 with 8:26 remaining in the game.
Vanderbilt guard Tyler Tanner was only out for a couple minutes. Tanner is back with 13 minutes remaining.
Vanderbilt guard Tyler Tanners was shown on the TV broadcast getting some attention on his ankle while sitting on the bench. He is out of the game for the moment.
The Commodores have outscored Vanderbilt 12-9 in a hot-shooting second half for both teams. Nebraska leads 48-44 with 14:55 remaining in the game.
Vanderbilt gets the first point of the half on a free throw from Tyler Tanner. Nebraska leads 39-33.
Vanderbilt guard Tyler Tanner is keeping the Commodores in the game.
He is up to 13 points, two assists and three steals. Nebraska leads 29-21 with 4:19 remaining.
Tyler Tanner has 11 early points. The Commodores trail 21-15 with 8:12 remaining in the first half.
Nebraska leads Vanderbilt 16-10 with 10:48 remaining in the first half.
3-pointers have separated the teams. Vanderbilt is 0-for-8 from long range. Nebraska is 3-for-5.
Vanderbilt guard Tyler Tanner got his 181st assist of the season on a pass to Jalen Washington. It broke Atiba Prater’s mark in 1999-00.
Nebraska leads Vanderbilt 11-4 with 15:23 remaining in the first half.
Vanderbilt is 0-for-5 on 3-pointers.
Nebraska got up 8-0 on Vanderbilt before star Commodores guard Tyler Tanner hit a floater to make it 8-2.
The ball bounced out of play with 18:32 remaining in the first half. Fred Hoiberg challenged the ruling that it was off Nebraska, and he was correct. The ball was ruled off Vanderbilt’s AK Okereke.
Vanderbilt wins the opening tip and the game is underway.
Studio host Bruce Pearl, the former coach of Auburn, picked Vanderbilt to beat Nebraska in the pregame show on TNT
Vanderbilt guard Duke Miles has been listed as a starter in the pregame lineup. He has tape on his left thumb after jamming it the first round game.
The Nebraska fans have traveled well to Oklahoma City. Those cheering for the Cornhuskers are being vocal in warmups.
The Commodores and Cornhuskers will tip off at 7:58 p.m., according to the countdown clock in the arena.
Nebraska
Guard Sam Hoiberg
Guard Jamarques Lawrence
Forward Berke Buyuktuncel
Forward Pryce Sandfort
Forward Rienk Mast
Vanderbilt
Guard Duke Miles
Guard Tyler Tanner
Forward Tyler Nickel
Forward AK Okereke
Forward Devin McGlockton
Sam Hutchens covers sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
