Pryce Sandfort Scores Career-High 33 as Nebraska Beats Penn State 87-64

No. 9 Nebraska bounces back from recent loss with dominant win over Penn State

Feb. 22, 2026 at 9:05am

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No. 9 Nebraska delivered a dominant performance on Saturday, defeating Penn State 87-64 at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The victory marked a strong rebound for the Cornhuskers following a recent loss to Iowa, largely defined by the exceptional 33-point performance of Nebraska forward Pryce Sandfort, who tied the school record for most three-pointers made in a single game.

Why it matters

Nebraska's win elevates their regular season record to 23-4, with a 12-4 standing in the Big Ten Conference, demonstrating their competitive position within the league. The victory comes as a crucial boost as they navigate a challenging conference schedule and positions them as a significant contender in the Big Ten.

The details

Sandfort's scoring prowess included an impressive 8-for-14 shooting record from beyond the three-point arc, with 20 of his points coming in the first half. Sam Hoiberg recorded his first career double-double, contributing 11 points and 10 assists, while Braden Frager added 15 points. Penn State struggled with early turnovers and a low shooting percentage, unable to overcome Nebraska's offensive firepower and defensive pressure.

  • The victory was secured on February 21, 2026.
  • Nebraska is scheduled to host Maryland on Wednesday evening, with tip-off set for 6 p.m. Local time.
  • Penn State will return to their home court to face Iowa on Saturday.

The players

Pryce Sandfort

Nebraska forward who achieved a career-high 33 points, including an impressive 8-for-14 shooting record from beyond the three-point arc, and tied the school record for most three-pointers made in a single game.

Sam Hoiberg

Nebraska player who recorded his first career double-double, contributing 11 points and 10 assists.

Braden Frager

Nebraska player who added 15 points to the Cornhuskers' total.

Ivan Juric

Penn State player who led the scoring with 13 points and 10 rebounds, achieving a double-double.

Kayden Mingo

Penn State player who contributed 13 points.

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What’s next

Nebraska is scheduled to host Maryland on Wednesday evening, with tip-off set for 6 p.m. Local time. Penn State will return to their home court to face Iowa on Saturday.

The takeaway

Nebraska's victory underscores their status as a significant contender in the Big Ten Conference, with their ability to consistently generate high-level offensive output and solid defensive strategy positioning them favorably for continued success. Penn State, meanwhile, faces an uphill battle as they attempt to improve their standing in the conference, needing to address their turnover issues and improve their shooting efficiency.