nebraska vs iowa: Stirtz's late surge sends Hawkeyes past No. 9 Cornhuskers 57-52
IOWA CITY — Bennett Stirtz scored 25 points and Cooper Koch added 10 as Iowa weathered a frigid second half to beat No. 9 Nebraska 57-52 on Tuesday night, Feb. 17, 2026 (ET). The win sent the home crowd into a storming celebration after a tense, defensive slugfest that showcased rebounding and late-game poise more than three-point shooting.
Stirtz's late scoring and interior edge decide tight contest
Stirtz delivered 10 of Iowa's final 14 points and provided the offensive punctuation the Hawkeyes needed when both teams tightened defensively. His jumper with 5: 38 left put Iowa ahead 47-45, and a step-back 3 only 40 seconds later extended the margin and energized the crowd. Cooper Koch's work inside and on the boards complemented Stirtz, and Tavion Banks finished with a team-high 10 rebounds as Iowa dominated the glass 37-24.
Despite failing to make a field goal over the final 4: 59, Iowa held on by turning Nebraska's late attempts into empty possessions. The Cornhuskers missed eight of their last 11 shots and endured an 11 1/2-minute stretch with just one basket, a drought that Nebraska could not overcome despite leading the national rankings earlier in the season.
Cold shooting, physical defense and key moments
The second half was a struggle for both teams from the perimeter. Iowa went 7-for-28 in the second half and just 3-for-13 from beyond the arc. Nebraska managed only 9-of-23 shooting in the same span and finished 2-for-12 on 3s. Turnovers, contested shots and strong interior defense kept the score low and the lead in flux.
Iowa's momentum carried over from a 14-2 run late in the first half that produced a 33-28 halftime lead. The Hawkeyes built a 33-23 cushion with just under a minute remaining before Nebraska closed the half with five straight points, capped by Cale Jacobsen's buzzer-beating 3 that cut the gap to five at the break.
For Nebraska, Pryce Sandfort led with 13 points and hit two 3-pointers in the game. His second long ball pushed him past his program's single-season record for 3-pointers, finishing the night with 90. Sandfort drew heavy jeers from the student section on his return to Iowa City after transferring, but continued to be a primary scoring option. Jamarques Lawrence added 11 points for the Cornhuskers.
Implications, atmosphere and what's next
The triumph halts a two-game skid for Iowa after losses to Maryland and Purdue following a six-game winning streak. It was a statement win against a ranked border rival even as the Hawkeyes navigated offensive inconsistencies. The rebounding advantage and late defensive stops were decisive factors in preserving the victory.
The rivalry heat was palpable throughout, and the postgame court-storming underscored how much the win meant to the home fans. Nebraska, which has suffered four defeats in its last six outings, will need to tighten its late-game execution and find more consistent perimeter scoring if it hopes to regain footing in conference play. Iowa will look to build on its physical style and defensive toughness as the schedule tightens down the stretch.
Both teams leave with takeaways: Iowa for its grit and ability to close despite offensive lapses, and Nebraska for missed opportunities in a game they had chances to control. The March chase inches closer, and games like this—decided by rebounds, defense and a few late buckets—will matter when the standings are finalized.
