Nebraska defeated No. 5 Vanderbilt 74-72 to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history, Fox News Digital reported.
The Cornhuskers led 39-32 at halftime and held a lead of as many as 10 before Vanderbilt rallied. The Commodores took a 72-70 lead with less than a minute remaining, Fox News Digital reported.
Rienk Mast tied the game with a putback with 37 seconds left, and after Vanderbilt’s Chandler Bing missed a chance to retake the lead, Pryce Sandfort found Braden Frager for a contested layup with 2.2 seconds remaining that put Nebraska ahead, Fox News Digital reported.
Vanderbilt inbounded to Tyler Tanner, who hoisted a halfcourt shot that hit the backboard and the rim and bounced out, and Nebraska’s late lead held. Tanner finished with 27 points, Fox News Digital reported.
The victory marked Nebraska’s first trip to the Sweet 16 after eight previous appearances without advancing. Four Cornhuskers finished in double digits, with Sandfort and Frager each scoring 15. Nebraska will face the winner of No. 1 Florida and No. 9 Iowa, Fox News Digital reported.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
