HOUSTON (AP) – Ninth-seeded Iowa continued its surprising NCAA Tournament journey by defeating fourth-seeded Nebraska 77-71 in a South Region semifinal on Thursday night.
The victory marks a significant achievement for first-year coach Ben McCollum and his team.
Bennett Stirtz led the Hawkeyes with 20 points, while Alvaro Folgueiras contributed 16 points, securing Iowa’s place in the Elite Eight for the first time since 1987. The Hawkeyes will face either Illinois or Houston for a chance to advance to the Final Four.
Game Highlights
Iowa faced an early challenge as Nebraska took a 10-point lead. The Hawkeyes managed to tie the game four times but did not take the lead until Stirtz hit a three-pointer to make it 68-65 with just over two minutes remaining. Following a 9-0 run capped by a three-pointer from Sage Tate, Iowa surged ahead 71-65.
Crucial Moments
The Cornhuskers narrowed the gap to three points with a three-pointer from Braden Frager, but a chaotic inbound play left Folgueiras unguarded near the basket. He capitalized on the opportunity, scoring a critical dunk and converting a free throw for a 74-68 lead.
Folgueiras added another dunk with 34 seconds left, extending the lead to 76-68 and solidifying Iowa’s victory.
Nebraska’s Performance
Pryce Sandfort, a transfer from Iowa, led Nebraska with 25 points, hitting six three-pointers. The Cornhuskers, who achieved their first two tournament victories in program history this season, received additional support from Frager, who scored 16 points. Coach Fred Hoiberg’s team energized their fans throughout the tournament.
Upcoming Matchup
Iowa’s victory sets the stage for a matchup against either Illinois or Houston on Saturday. The outcome will determine which Big Ten team advances to the Final Four, as Iowa seeks to continue its remarkable tournament run.