Iowa Edges Nebraska Basketball 57-52 Behind Stirtz’s Clutch Triple
Iowa Hawkeyes men’s basketball held off Nebraska Cornhuskers men’s basketball for a hard-fought 57-52 victory on Tuesday night in Iowa City. In a matchup dominated by defense, Nebraska basketball struggled offensively and was limited to a season-low 52 points.
With the loss, Nebraska dropped to 22-4 overall and 11-4 in Big Ten play. Iowa improved to 19-7 and 9-6 in conference action.
Bennett Stirtz Delivers in Clutch Moments
Bennett Stirtz led all scorers with 25 points and played a decisive role in the closing minutes. He scored 10 of Iowa’s final 14 points, including a key jumper that gave the Hawkeyes a 47-45 lead and a step-back three-pointer shortly after to extend the advantage.
Although Iowa did not make a field goal in the final 4:59, the Hawkeyes sealed the win at the free-throw line. Stirtz also drew a late shooting foul on a three-point attempt and converted all his free throws to protect the lead.
Nebraska Basketball Struggles Offensively
Nebraska basketball faced one of its toughest offensive nights of the season. The Cornhuskers shot 41 percent from the field and went just 5-of-24 from beyond the arc. They were held to only 44 total shots and tied a season low with 18 made field goals.
The Huskers also endured an 11½-minute stretch with just one basket, which proved costly in a low-scoring contest. Over the final five minutes, Nebraska managed only two field goals and could not capitalize after Iowa stopped making shots from the floor.
Pryce Sandfort Sets Single-Season Three-Point Record
Despite the loss, Pryce Sandfort reached a significant milestone. The Iowa transfer knocked down two three-pointers to bring his season total to 90, setting Nebraska’s single-season record and surpassing the previous mark of 89 set in 2001-02.
Sandfort finished with a team-high 13 points, while Jamarques Lawrence added 11. However, no other Husker reached double figures, highlighting the team’s offensive struggles.
Rebounding and Turnovers Make the Difference
One of the biggest factors in the game was Iowa’s dominance on the boards. The Hawkeyes held a 37-24 rebounding advantage and controlled the glass throughout the night. They also outscored Nebraska in points off turnovers by a plus-10 margin.
Even though Nebraska’s defense limited Iowa to 33 percent shooting and just 25 percent in the second half, second-chance opportunities and turnover points allowed the Hawkeyes to stay in control.
In the first half, Iowa used a 14-2 run to build a 33-28 halftime lead. Nebraska briefly regained momentum in the second half and even took a 41-39 lead, but Stirtz’s late scoring run shifted the game back in Iowa’s favor.
What the Loss Means for Nebraska Basketball
This defeat marked Nebraska’s first loss to an unranked team this season and its fourth straight loss to Iowa dating back to January 2024. The Huskers also fell to 3-21 all-time in Iowa City.
Nebraska will now return home to begin a two-game homestand, looking to bounce back after a defensive battle that exposed offensive limitations.
Final Remarks
Nebraska basketball fought hard in a tightly contested Big Ten matchup but fell short in a 57-52 loss to Iowa. While the defense kept the game within reach, rebounding disadvantages and shooting struggles proved decisive. Bennett Stirtz’s clutch performance ultimately separated the teams, overshadowing Pryce Sandfort’s record-setting night. The Huskers will need a stronger offensive showing moving forward to maintain their position near the top of the conference standings.
FAQs
Nebraska struggled offensively, shooting 41 percent overall and 5-of-24 from three-point range, while being outrebounded 37-24.
Bennett Stirtz led all players with 25 points, including several key baskets late in the game.
Sandfort set Nebraska’s single-season three-point record with 90 made threes, surpassing the previous mark of 89.
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