Field Level Media
22 Mar 2026, 09:25 GMT+10
(Photo credit: SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Braden Frager drove for the winning layup with 2.2 seconds left Saturday night and fourth-seeded Nebraska rallied for a 74-72 win over fifth-seeded Vanderbilt in the second round of the NCAA Tournament's South Region in Oklahoma City.
The result wasn't secured until the Commodores' Tyler Tanner, who scored a game-high 27 points, barely missed a 3-point shot from beyond halfcourt as time expired. Tanner's heave hit the glass and went in and out, causing a gasp and then a wild ovation from the pro-Cornhusker crowd inside Paycom Center.
Prager and Pryce Sandfort each scored 15 points for Nebraska (28-6), which will play either top-seeded Florida or No. 9 Iowa Thursday in Houston. The Gators and Hawkeyes match up on Sunday night in Tampa.
Rienk Mast added 13 and Berke Buyuktuncel contributed 12 points for the Cornhuskers, who converted 29 of 52 field goal attempts, including 9 of 19 from the 3-point line. Nebraska will make its first-ever Sweet 16 appearance.
Tyler Nickel added 16 points for Vanderbilt (27-9), which rallied in the second half by canning 10 of 22 3-pointers. Tanner's layup gave the Commodores a 72-70 edge with 58 seconds remaining but Mast equalized with 37.0 seconds on the clock by tipping home Sam Hoiberg's missed layup.
The game featured wildly contrasting styles. Vanderbilt sought to speed Nebraska up with pressure and the Cornhuskers attempted to carve up the Commodores with precise halfcourt execution.
In the first half, it was Nebraska's halfcourt sets that ruled, even though the Commodores were able to force seven turnovers in 31 possessions. The Cornhuskers were able to overcome the high turnover rate by drilling 15 of 25 field goals, including 6 of 10 on 3-pointers.
Mast connected on 3 of 4 first-half 3-point attempts, helping Nebraska open up a 31-21 lead at the 3:59 mark. Vandy got a little traction later in the half but still headed for the break looking at a 39-32 deficit.
Tanner kept the Commodores in contention with 15 points on 5 of 10 shooting before intermission.
--Field Level Media
Get a daily dose of Wisconsin Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Wisconsin Star.
More InformationWASHINGTON, D.C.: Labor rights activist Dolores Huerta said that she, along with other women and girls, was sexually abused by César...
U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday hosted a group of evangelical Christian leaders in the Oval Office to pray for him and for...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: A Justice Department investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell could end up prolonging his leadership...
LONDON/DUBAI: Airline disruptions from the Iran war are forcing planes into long detours and even full round-trips back to origin,...
WELLINGTON, New Zealand: New Zealand's government is planning to tighten deportation, asylum, and immigration enforcement rules with...
In a move that has sparked global outrage, the Islamic Republic of Iran has executed 19-year-old champion wrestler Saleh Mohammadi...
(Photo credit: SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) Braden Frager drove for the winning layup with 2.2...
(Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images) Daruis Garland scored 41 points with 11 assists and Kawhi Leonard added 34 points as the...
(Photo credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images) Amen Thompson tipped in a Kevin Durant missed jumper at the buzzer, and the Houston Rockets...
(Photo credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images) Dyson Daniels matched his career high with 28 points to help the Atlanta Hawks defeat the...
(Photo credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images) Rookie Dylan Harper poured in a career-high-tying 24 points in his first career start and...
(Photo credit: Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) GREENVILLE, S.C. - Andrej Stojakovic...
