Hawkeyes Upset #9 Huskers

Iowa overcame shooting woes to defeat Nebraska 57-52 in Big Ten basketball action.

Feb. 20, 2026 at 8:55pm

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The Iowa Hawkeyes defeated the 9th-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers 57-52 in a Big Ten men's basketball game on Tuesday night. Despite shooting struggles in the second half, Iowa was able to hold on for the upset victory over their conference rival.

Why it matters

This win is a significant upset for the Hawkeyes, who were coming off back-to-back losses. It also marks the first loss of the season for Nebraska against an unranked opponent, potentially impacting their standing in the Big Ten and NCAA tournament hopes.

The details

Iowa led 33-28 at halftime after a 14-2 run late in the first half. In the second half, the Hawkeyes went cold, shooting just 7-of-28 from the field and 3-of-13 from three-point range. However, Nebraska also struggled, missing 8 of their last 11 shots and going over 11 minutes with just one field goal. Bennet Stirtz led Iowa with 25 points, while Pryce Sandfort, an Iowa transfer, scored 13 points for Nebraska.

  • The game was played on Tuesday night.
  • Iowa led 33-28 at halftime.

The players

Bennet Stirtz

Led Iowa with 25 points on 8-22 shooting and 7-7 from the free throw line.

Cooper Koch

Added 10 points for Iowa.

Tavion Banks

Had 6 points and 10 rebounds for Iowa.

Pryce Sandfort

An Iowa transfer, led Nebraska with 13 points and was booed and taunted by the Hawkeye fans.

Jamarques Lawrence

Added 11 points for Nebraska.

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The takeaway

This game highlights the unpredictable nature of college basketball, where an unranked team can pull off a major upset over a top-10 opponent. It also showcases the intense rivalry between Iowa and Nebraska, with the Hawkeye fans making their presence felt during the game.