Iowa upsets No. 9 Nebraska behind Stirtz's 25 points

Hawkeyes overcome poor shooting to earn first win over ranked team since 2024

Feb. 21, 2026 at 4:23am

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Bennett Stirtz scored a game-high 25 points as Iowa pulled off a 57-52 upset of No. 9 Nebraska in Iowa City on Tuesday night. Cooper Koch added 10 points for the Hawkeyes, who overcame 17-of-51 shooting from the field by sinking 17-of-18 free throws. Nebraska was held 27 points under its season average and was dominated on the glass, 37-24.

Why it matters

The win gives a big boost to Iowa's NCAA tournament hopes, as it marks the Hawkeyes' first victory over a ranked opponent since 2024. Nebraska, meanwhile, missed an opportunity to build on a recent win over Northwestern and strengthen its own tournament resume.

The details

Iowa held Nebraska to just 18-of-44 shooting from the field and forced six turnovers in the first half to build a 33-28 halftime lead. The Hawkeyes then held off a late Cornhuskers rally, with Stirtz hitting three free throws in the final 36 seconds to seal the victory. Pryce Sandfort scored 13 points for Nebraska in his return to Iowa, where he played his first two seasons.

  • The game took place on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
  • Iowa led 33-28 at halftime.

The players

Bennett Stirtz

A key player for Iowa, scoring a game-high 25 points in the upset win.

Cooper Koch

Added 10 points for the Hawkeyes in the victory.

Pryce Sandfort

Scored 13 points for Nebraska in his return to Iowa, where he played his first two seasons.

Jamarques Lawrence

Scored 11 points for the Cornhuskers in the losing effort.

Rienk Mast

Nebraska's second-leading scorer, was held to 8 points on 4-of-10 shooting.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“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 upset win over a top-10 opponent gives a major boost to Iowa's NCAA tournament hopes, as the Hawkeyes look to build on this momentum and secure a spot in the Big Dance. Meanwhile, Nebraska missed an opportunity to strengthen its own tournament resume, and will need to regroup quickly to maintain its position as a top contender in the Big Ten.