Nebraska survives near-miracle heave at buzzer to advance past Vanderbilt in thriller, keep dream season alive
Nebraska and Vanderbilt put on a show in one of the best games of the NCAA tournament.
Nebraska forward Rienk Mast, right, drives past Vanderbilt center Jalen Washington, left, during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Saturday, March 21, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips) ASSOCIATED PRESS Make that two NCAA tournament wins for Nebraska. In front of a decidedly pro-Nebraska crowd in Oklahoma City, the 4th-seeded Cornhuskers won a 74-72 thriller over No.
5 seed Vanderbilt Saturday night with a Sweet 16 berth on the line. They survived a near miracle heave from Vanderbilt at the buzzer after their own late go-ahead bucket to secure the win. Vanderbilt had rallied from a 39-32 halftime deficit to take the lead late in a game where both teams traded blows down the stretch.
But backup Nebraska guard Braden Frager delivered the final shot for the Cornhuskers with a go-ahead layup with 2. 2 seconds to secure the 74-72 lead. OH.
MY. GOODNESS. NEBRASKA IS IN FRONT 😱 #MarchMadness pic.