Bennett Stirtz scores 25 points as Iowa downs No. 9 Nebraska, 57-52
Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz (14) celebrates with teammates after an NCAA college basketball game against Nebraska, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, in Iowa City, Iowa. Credit: AP/Charlie Neibergall
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Bennett Stirtz scored 25 points and Cooper Koch added 10 as Iowa overcame a cold-shooting second half to defeat No. 9 Nebraska 57-52 on Tuesday night.
Iowa (19-7, 9-6 Big Ten) won despite not making a field goal over the final 4:59. The Hawkeyes were 7 of 28 from the field in the second half, including 3 for 13 on 3-pointers.
Nebraska (22-4, 11-4), which has lost four of six, wasn’t much better. The Cornhuskers went 9 of 23 from the field, including 2 for 12 on 3s, and missed eight of their last 11 shots, going through an 11 1/2-minute stretch with just one basket.
Stirtz scored 10 of Iowa’s final 14 points. His jumper with 5:38 left gave the Hawkeyes a 47-45 lead, then he added a step-back 3 only 40 seconds later.
Iowa was coming off back-to-back losses last week to Maryland and Purdue after a six-game winning streak.
Pryce Sandfort, making his first appearance at Iowa since transferring after last season, led the Cornhuskers with 13 points. Sandfort was booed and taunted by Iowa’s student section throughout the game, but hit two 3-pointers to become Nebraska’s single-season leader with 90.
Jamarques Lawrence added 11 points for Nebraska.
Nebraska guard Cale Jacobsen (31) drives past Iowa guard Tate Sage (24) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, in Iowa City, Iowa. Credit: AP/Charlie Neibergall
Iowa had a 37-24 rebounding advantage. Tavion Banks grabbed 10 boards.
Iowa used a 14-2 run late in the first half to take a 33-28 halftime lead. The Hawkeyes, who had a 19-6 rebounding edge in the half, built a 33-23 cushion with 58 seconds left before the Huskers scored the last five points, including Cale Jacobsen’s buzzer-beating 3.
Both teams had their struggles in the first half. They combined for 15 turnovers and 6-of-22 shooting from 3-point range.
Up next
Nebraska hosts Penn State on Saturday.
Nebraska guard Sam Hoiberg (1) drives to the basket past Iowa guard Tavion Banks (6) and forward Alvaro Folgueiras during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, in Iowa City, Iowa. Credit: AP/Charlie Neibergall
Iowa visits Wisconsin on Sunday.
