Nebrasketball Gets It Done, Wins NCAA Tournament Game Over Troy

Troy opened on a 5-0 run as Nebraska's first three possessions of the half were a missed shot and two turnovers. But, just like in the first half, Sandfort delivered the start to a run.

The junior sharpshooter made his sixth three-pointer of the game to spark an 11-2 run. That stretched the difference to 20 points with 14:06 to play. Less than eight minutes later, that lead was at 30 points.

Nebraska was able to cruise the rest of the way to the 29-point victory.

The Stats

Nebraska shot 43.1%, including 14-of-39 on three-pointers. Troy made 28.3% of its shots, making 8-of-28 from deep.

Troy won the Sun Belt with the help of its rebounding, but that wasn't a strength in this one. Nebraska won the rebounding battle 37-33. The Huskers also turned 13 offensive rebounds into 19 second-chance points, a category that netted the Trojans just three points.

Sandfort's big day ended with a game-high 23 points. He made 7-of-11 three-pointers, adding five rebounds. Jamarques Lawrence was also hot from deep, making three triples as part of his 13 points.

Rienk Mast filled out the stat sheet with 11 points, six rebounds, and seven assists. Sam Hoiberg led all players with nine rebounds.

• Box score

What's Next

Nebraska advances to the second round on Saturday against the winner of No. 5 seed Vanderbilt and the No. 12 seed McNeese. That game does not yet have a tip time and television destination.

Nebraska Men's Basketball 2025-26 Schedule

• Oct. 18 Nebraska 90, BYU 89
• Oct. 27 Nebraska 91, Midland 50
• Nov. 3 Nebraska 86, West Georgia 53
• Nov. 8 Nebraska 96, Florida International 66
• Nov. 11 Nebarska 69, Maryland-Eastern Shore 50
• Nov. 15 Nebraska 105, Oklahoma 99 (Sanford Pentagon)
• Nov. 20 Nebraska 84, New Mexico 72 (Hall of Fame Classic)
• Nov. 21 Nebraska 86, Kansas State 85 (Hall of Fame Classic)
• Nov. 25 Nebraska 80, Winthrop 73
• Nov. 29 Nebraska 72, South Carolina Upstate 63
• Dec. 7 Nebraska 71, Creighton 50
• Dec. 10 Nebraska 90, Wisconsin 60
• Dec. 13 Nebraska 83, Illinois 80
• Dec. 21 Nebraska 78, North Dakota 55
• Dec. 30 Nebraska 86, New Hampshire 55
• Jan. 2 Nebraska 58, Michigan State 56
• Jan. 5 Nebraska 72, Ohio State 69
• Jan. 10 Nebraska 83, Indiana 77
• Jan. 13 Nebraska 90, Oregon 55
• Jan. 17 Nebraska 77, Northwestern 58
• Jan. 21 Nebraska 76, Washington 66
• Jan. 24 Nebraska 76, Minnesota 57
• Jan. 27 Michigan 75, Nebraska 72
• Feb. 1 Illinois 78, Nebraska 69
• Feb. 7 Nebraska 80, Rutgers 68
• Feb. 10 Purdue 80, Nebraska 77
• Feb. 14 Nebraska 68, Northwestern 49
• Feb. 17 Iowa 57, Nebraska 52
• Feb. 21 Nebraska 87, Penn State 64
• Feb. 25 Nebraska 74, Maryland 61
• Feb. 28 Nebraska 82, USC 67
• March 3 UCLA 72, Nebraska 52
• March 8 Nebraska 84, Iowa 75
• March 13 Purdue 74, Nebraska 58 (Big Ten Tournament)
• March 19 Nebraska 76, Troy 47 (NCAA Tournament)
• March 21 vs. Vanderbilt/McNeese (NCAA Tournament)

Home games are bolded. All times central.