Cale Jacobsen scores 15 and No. 9 Nebraska beats Iowa 84-75 in overtime after blowing late lead
Nebraska's Berke Büyüktuncel (9) dunks against Iowa during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Lincoln, Neb. Credit: AP/Rebecca S. Gratz
LINCOLN, Neb. — Cale Jacobsen came off the bench to score 13 of his 15 points after halftime and hit the tiebreaking 3-pointer in overtime, and ninth-ranked Nebraska matched its program record for wins in a season with an 84-75 victory over Iowa on Sunday.
Sam Hoiberg, who scored 15 points and had five steals on his senior day, hugged teammate Pryce Sandfort near halfcourt as time ran out and then heaved the ball high into the stands. He and his father, coach Fred Hoiberg, embraced and a short time later the rest of the Huskers came out of the tunnel to salute the sellout crowd at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Nebraska (26-5, 15-5 Big Ten) led by 10 points with five minutes left in regulation but missed five of its next seven shots and a couple of late free throws to let the Hawkeyes back in it. Kael Combs scored Iowa’s last eight points of regulation, including a second-chance 3-pointer that tied it 70-all with 2.7 seconds left.
After Cooper Koch tied it at 75-all in overtime, Jacobsen made a 3 from the corner and the Huskers went on to score the final nine points. The Huskers beat Iowa (20-11, 10-10) for the first time in five meetings and split the season series.
Sandfort, who transferred from Iowa after last season, scored 15 points and Rienk Mast added 14 for the Huskers.
Combs and Koch had 18 points apiece for the Hawkeyes, who committed 19 turnovers.
Up next
Iowa: The Hawkeyes are the No. 9 seed in the Big Ten Tournament and play Oregon or Maryland on Wednesday.
Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg signals to his team as they play against Iowa during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Lincoln, Neb. Credit: AP/Rebecca S. Gratz
Nebraska: The Huskers are the No. 2 seed and play Friday.
