No. 9 Huskers Fall at Iowa in Defensive Battle

Nebraska's 24-year offensive school record falls in 57-52 loss to Hawkeyes

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The No. 9 Nebraska basketball team came up short in a defensive battle Tuesday night at Iowa, falling to the host Hawkeyes 57-52. The Huskers were held to a season-low 52 points against a stingy Iowa defense, and Pryce Sandfort set a school record for most 3-pointers in a season with 90, but it wasn't enough as Nebraska suffered its first loss to an unranked team this year.

Why it matters

This loss drops Nebraska to 22-4 on the season and 11-4 in Big Ten play, putting a dent in their hopes for a high NCAA Tournament seed. The Huskers' defense kept them in the game, but they struggled offensively and were unable to capitalize on Iowa's cold shooting down the stretch.

The details

Nebraska was held to a season-low 44 shots and tied its season low with 18 field goals, shooting just 41% from the field and 5-of-24 from 3-point range. The Huskers' defense limited Iowa to 33% shooting, but the Hawkeyes benefited from a +10 advantage in points off turnovers and a +10 edge in offensive rebounds. Pryce Sandfort set the school record for 3-pointers in a season with 90, but it wasn't enough as Nebraska couldn't overcome Iowa's stifling defense.

  • The game took place on Tuesday, February 20, 2026.

The players

Pryce Sandfort

A Nebraska player who set the school record for most 3-pointers in a season with 90.

Jamarques Lawrence

A Nebraska player who scored 11 points in the game.

Bennett Stirtz

An Iowa player who scored a game-high 25 points.

Berke Buyuktuncel

A Nebraska player who had two fouls in the first half.

Rienk Mast

A Nebraska player who had two fouls in the first half.

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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 (Instagram)

What’s next

The Huskers will return home to begin a two-game homestand on Saturday, February 21, when they host Penn State. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. and the game will be televised on BTN and carried on the Huskers Radio Network.

The takeaway

This loss highlights the challenges Nebraska faces in a tough Big Ten conference, as they were unable to overcome Iowa's stifling defense despite a strong defensive effort of their own. The Huskers will need to regroup and find a way to generate more offense if they hope to secure a high seed in the NCAA Tournament.