In a thrilling afternoon showdown at the Galen Center, the No. 12 Nebraska men's basketball team etched their name in the history books with a record-setting 14th conference win, defeating USC 82-67. This victory nudged the Huskers closer to securing a coveted triple bye in the Big Ten Tournament, while USC found themselves slipping further from an NCAA tournament berth.
The star of the show was junior forward Pryce Sandfort, who delivered a dazzling performance with 32 points, six rebounds, and two steals. Nebraska's resilience was on full display as they out-rebounded USC 41-25, capitalizing on 18 offensive boards to rack up 19 second-chance points.
Pryce Sandfort Shines Bright
Sandfort was unstoppable, notching his third 30+ point game of the season. The Iowa native was lethal from beyond the arc, hitting 5-of-10 three-pointers.
He wasted no time, sinking his first long-range shot within minutes of the opening whistle. By halftime, he had already made two of his four attempts.
The momentum truly shifted when Sandfort converted an and-one three-pointer early in the second half, propelling the Huskers into the lead. This pivotal moment fueled Nebraska's dominance, as they outscored USC 43-29 in the latter half. Sandfort is now tantalizingly close to breaking the Big Ten's single-season three-point record, trailing by just five behind Michigan State legend Shawn Respert's 1995 mark of 80.
Huskers Overcome Early Challenges
The first half wasn't all smooth sailing for Nebraska. USC's imposing size initially disrupted the Huskers' rhythm, leading to 12 missed shots in the paint, including three blocks. However, Nebraska turned the tables in the second half, converting 14 of 21 attempts inside.
A significant factor in this turnaround was the absence of USC's Chad Baker-Mazara, who exited due to injury with 17 minutes remaining. With Baker-Mazara sidelined, Nebraska seized control, outscoring the Trojans 41-29 from that point.
Buyuktuncel: The Unsung Hero
Junior forward Buyuktuncel played a crucial role, reminiscent of his standout triple-double performance against North Dakota. In just 24 minutes, he contributed nine points, six rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and three steals, boasting a team-best +24 plus/minus rating.
Buyuktuncel set the tone early, racking up two points, two steals, an assist, and a block before the under-16 timeout. His energy was vital, especially when senior guard Sam Hoiberg had to sit due to foul trouble.
Looking Ahead
Next up, Nebraska stays in Los Angeles for a Tuesday night clash with UCLA. The Bruins, eager to bounce back from a 78-73 loss at Minnesota, will pose a formidable challenge.
Tip-off is set for 10:00 CT, with live coverage on FS1. The Huskers will aim to carry their momentum forward and continue their impressive run.