Nebraska 76–66 Washington: Pryce Sandfort Scores 23 as No. 7 Huskers Stay Unbeaten Despite Losing the Glass
Washington vs Nebraska turned into a showcase of balance and perimeter efficiency, as No. 7 Nebraska extended its winning streak to 23 games with a 76–66 home win at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The Cornhuskers improved to 19–0 overall and 8–0 in the Big Ten, while Washington fell to 10–9 (2–6 Big Ten).
Pryce Sandfort led Nebraska with 23 points, including four three-pointers, providing the scoring punch the Huskers needed whenever Washington threatened to close the gap.
First Half: Huskers’ Early Surge
Nebraska set the tone early:
-
A strong opening run pushed the Cornhuskers to a 41–28 halftime lead.
-
Guard play and perimeter shooting fueled the early advantage.
-
Washington struggled from the floor, hitting 39.5% overall and just 28.6% from three (6–of‑21), allowing Nebraska to maintain momentum.
Despite the deficit, the Huskies established a physical presence inside, which would show up in second-half stats.
Second Half: Huskies Win the Boards, Nebraska Wins the Game
The second half saw Washington compete fiercely on the glass:
-
Rebounds: Washington 33 – Nebraska 21
-
Points in the paint: Washington 40 – Nebraska 26
Still, Nebraska’s perimeter efficiency and clutch scoring from Sandfort and other guards kept them ahead. The Huskies trimmed the margin to 10 with a late 6–0 run in the final 1:17, but never seriously threatened Nebraska’s control.
Final Score: Nebraska 76 – 66 Washington
Box Score Highlights
Nebraska Cornhuskers (76)
-
Pryce Sandfort: 23 points, 4‑of‑7 from three, 3‑of‑4 free throws – key perimeter scoring
-
Sam Hoiberg: 14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists – efficient two-way guard play
-
Rienk Mast: 12 points, 4 assists – high-post playmaker and shooter
Washington Huskies (66)
-
Hannes Steinbach: 19 points, 11 rebounds – double-double
-
Zoom Diallo: 16 points, 5 assists – main creator from the backcourt
Scoring by Half
| Team | 1st Half | 2nd Half | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 28 | 38 | 66 |
| Nebraska | 41 | 35 | 76 |
Takeaways From Washington vs Nebraska
-
Nebraska’s balance: Despite losing the rebounding battle, the Cornhuskers’ guard play, three-point shooting, and low turnovers allowed them to maintain control.
-
Sandfort as closer: His 23 points highlight his role as Nebraska’s primary perimeter weapon in tight moments.
-
Washington’s missed opportunity: Outrebounding Nebraska 33–21 and winning points in the paint 40–26, yet still losing by 10, underscores struggles with perimeter defense and three-point efficiency against elite teams.