In a thrilling March Madness showdown, Nebraska edged out Vanderbilt 74-72, securing their first-ever Sweet 16 appearance. The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Rienk Mast watching anxiously from the bench as Tyler Tanner's half-court attempt nearly changed the course of history.
Mast described the tense moment, saying, "I was just praying. It looked dead on.
This is March Madness, and I thought, 'no way we're on the wrong end of history.' Thankfully, it rimmed out."
The final minute was a whirlwind, as both teams exchanged leads four times. Berke Büyüktuncel's layup gave Nebraska a brief advantage, only for Vanderbilt's AK Okereke to respond with a corner three. Sam Hoiberg tied it up again with a crucial putback.
With under a minute remaining, Tanner's three-pointer put Vanderbilt ahead, but Nebraska's Mast quickly leveled the score. On the Huskers' last possession, Pryce Sandfort drew two defenders, setting up Braden Frager for a decisive layup with just two seconds left.
Frager, who had been battling a slump, shone brightly with 15 points. Mast praised his teammate's resilience, noting, "That's a tough kid.
Nothing breaks his confidence. He's got swagger, especially for a freshman."
Büyüktuncel echoed the sentiment, expressing confidence in Frager's ability to finish at the rim. "I knew it was going in," he said. "He's something special, and he's shown it all season."
Despite Nebraska's preparation for the final moments, Tanner's half-court shot was a nail-biter, leaving the Paycom Center in stunned silence until it missed. The Nebraska fans erupted once they realized the shot hadn't gone in.
Sam Hoiberg captured the collective sigh of relief, saying, "My heart sank when it went up, but when it didn't go in, I just screamed in elation."
With this victory, Nebraska's Cinderella story continues, and their resilience and teamwork have fans eagerly anticipating what's next in this unforgettable tournament run.