Iowa Hands Nebraska Basketball Tough Loss as Sandfort Breaks 3-Point Record

Huskers fall short despite Sandfort's historic night in physical, defensive battle

Feb. 20, 2026 at 5:15pm

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Nebraska basketball (22-4, 11-4) fell to Iowa 57-52 on Tuesday in a physical, scrappy contest. Pryce Sandfort broke the single-season program record (89) for made 3-pointers, but the Huskers struggled to find offensive rhythm as a stout defensive outing wasn't enough to win in Iowa City for the first time since 2023.

Why it matters

This loss is a setback for Nebraska's NCAA Tournament hopes, as they missed an opportunity to pick up a key road win against a Big Ten rival. The game also featured a historic individual performance by Sandfort, who set a new program record for 3-pointers in a season, showcasing his shooting prowess.

The details

Nebraska shot just 41% from the field and 21% from deep, while Iowa won the rebounding battle 37-24 thanks to a dominant first half. The Huskers' defense kept them in the game, forcing nine Iowa turnovers, but their offense couldn't find a consistent rhythm. Sandfort led Nebraska with 13 points, including two 3-pointers that broke the single-season program record. Rienk Mast added eight points and eight rebounds for the Huskers.

  • Nebraska basketball (22-4, 11-4) fell to Iowa 57-52 on Tuesday.

The players

Pryce Sandfort

A Nebraska basketball player who broke the single-season program record (89) for made 3-pointers in the loss.

Rienk Mast

A Nebraska basketball player who had eight points and eight rebounds in the game.

Bennett Stirtz

An Iowa basketball player who scored 13 points in the first half to help the Hawkeyes build a lead.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

This loss is a setback for Nebraska's NCAA Tournament hopes, but Sandfort's historic performance shows the Huskers have a talented shooter who can keep them competitive in tough Big Ten road games.