Oklahoma
Vanderbilt
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (03/21/2026) — A valiant second-half comeback by the Vanderbilt Commodores fell just short Saturday night, as a barrage of three-pointers and superior shooting efficiency propelled the Nebraska Cornhuskers to a 74-72 victory at Paycom Center.
Despite a stellar 27-point performance from Vanderbilt guard Tyler Tanner, the Commodores could not overcome Nebraska's scorching 56% field goal percentage. The Cornhuskers' balanced attack, which saw four players score in double figures, was enough to withstand every Vanderbilt rally in a contest that came down to the final possessions.
How It Happened
Nebraska established its offensive rhythm from the opening tip, hitting three-pointers on its first three possessions to build a quick 8-0 lead. Rienk Mast connected on a pair of deep shots, and a third from Berke Buyuktuncel put Vanderbilt in an early 11-2 hole just four minutes into the game.
The Commodores weathered the initial storm behind the aggressive play of Tanner, who answered with dunks and a three-pointer of his own to cut the deficit to 18-15 near the nine-minute mark of the first half. However, Nebraska consistently had an answer from long range. Mast drained his third three-pointer of the half to extend the lead back to six, and a late Pryce Sandfort triple with 51 seconds remaining sent the Cornhuskers into the locker room with a 39-32 advantage.
Vanderbilt came out energized in the second half. Guard Tyler Nickel, who finished with 16 points, hit a pair of three-pointers early to pull the Commodores within four at 45-41. The teams traded baskets for the next several minutes, with a three from Duke Miles and another from Nickel keeping Vanderbilt within striking distance. With 10:19 left to play, Tanner connected from deep to make it a one-point game, 53-52.
The Commodores finally broke through and seized control with an impressive run. A three-pointer from forward AK Okereke with 8:26 remaining gave Vanderbilt its first lead of the contest, 58-55. Less than a minute later, Devin McGlockton followed with another three, pushing the Commodore lead to 61-57 and forcing a Nebraska timeout.
Turning Point
Facing their largest deficit of the game with just over seven minutes to play, the Nebraska Cornhuskers mounted the decisive response. After McGlockton's three-pointer put Vanderbilt ahead 61-57, Nebraska locked in defensively and executed on offense. The Cornhuskers closed the game on a 17-11 run, methodically chipping away at the lead. They reclaimed the advantage in the final minutes and made the crucial shots and stops necessary to secure the two-point victory, silencing the Vanderbilt comeback effort.
Star of the Game
In a losing effort, Vanderbilt's Tyler Tanner was the most dynamic player on the floor. The guard was relentless in his attack, finishing with a game-high 27 points. He was efficient from the field and also distributed the ball effectively, adding four assists and two rebounds. Tanner scored from all three levels, hitting crucial three-pointers and finishing strong at the rim with multiple dunks, keeping the Commodores in the game from start to finish.
For Nebraska, Pryce Sandfort and Braden Frager co-led a balanced offensive effort with 15 points apiece, while Rienk Mast added 13 points and four assists.
What It Means
For the Vanderbilt Commodores, the result is a gut-wrenching end to a hard-fought contest. The team demonstrated significant resilience, erasing an early deficit to take a late lead on the back of strong performances from Tanner and Nickel. The loss, however, underscores the need for more consistent defensive stops against efficient offensive teams. Vanderbilt's offense proved it could compete, but it was ultimately undone by Nebraska's 47% shooting from beyond the arc.
For the Nebraska Cornhuskers, the victory is a testament to their offensive depth and composure under pressure. Overcoming a late second-half deficit showed poise, and their ability to get contributions from multiple scorers proved to be the difference. The win, fueled by efficient team shooting, provides significant momentum as they move forward.