Nebraska’s Pryce Sandfort (21) celebrates a made three pointer against USC. (Courtesy: Nebraska Athletics)
Defensive intensity and dominant rebounding fuel second-half surge as Huskers open West Coast trip with statement win
LOS ANGELES — No. 12 Nebraska rediscovered its identity when it mattered most.
After an uneven first half, the Cornhuskers tightened their defense, controlled the glass and surged in transition after halftime to pull away from USC for an 82–67 road victory Saturday night at the Galen Center.
Nebraska (25-4) leaned on its defensive activity and rebounding dominance to break open a competitive game, outscoring the Trojans by double digits in the second half while shooting an efficient 53 percent from the field. The Huskers also overwhelmed USC on the glass, finishing with a 41-25 rebounding advantage, including an emphatic 18–5 edge in offensive rebounds.
Head coach Fred Hoiberg said the difference came from Nebraska returning to its defensive principles and playing with better pace and control.
“In the second half, we got some early transition looks because of activity with our hands; and more than anything, we slowed down and got back to who we are,” Hoiberg said. “We definitely executed better. When we take care of the basketball in transition, we’re really effective. When we have a high turnover percentage, we haven’t been very good — and that’s what happened in the first half.”
Nebraska’s defensive intensity translated directly into offense. The Huskers forced USC into tough shots throughout the night and limited the Trojans to just 38.5 percent shooting, while capitalizing on extra possessions created by their rebounding.
“When we’re active defensively, we’re a really good basketball team,” Hoiberg said. “Those guys have stayed really connected throughout the season on the defensive end of the floor, and that’s a big reason we are where we are.”
Forward Pryce Sandfort led Nebraska with 32 points and added six rebounds, continuing a stretch of strong all-around play. He was instrumental in setting the tone after halftime, helping Nebraska seize control.
“We said at halftime, ‘just get back to being us,’” Sandfort said. “I thought we came out really intense on the defensive end. We got deflections, got in transition, and took care of the ball in the second half as well — it all goes into it.”
Sandfort also emphasized rebounding as a key focus entering the matchup.
“Rebounding has been an emphasis every game,” Sandfort said. “We know that if we win the rebounding battle, we aren’t going to lose.”
That emphasis showed throughout the lineup. Nebraska’s relentless work on the boards led to second-chance opportunities that helped create separation in the second half. Hoiberg highlighted the interior presence of Berke Büyüktuncel, who delivered a strong two-way performance and posted a team-best plus-24 rating in just 24 minutes.
“BK was huge; defensively, he had such a huge impact for us,” Hoiberg said. “I thought he had some really good rolls to the basket. Plus 24 in 24 minutes was huge — Pryce had 32 points, but you could argue BK was player of the game for us.”
Nebraska’s rebounding dominance was especially notable against a USC team known for its athleticism.
“The defensive rebounding for sure was an emphasis,” Fred Hoiberg said. “We had 18 offensive rebounds — that’s by far the season high for this team…and held USC to five, and that’s a very good offensive rebounding team.”
Guard Sam Hoiberg provided a steadying presence despite early foul trouble. Forced to the bench in the first half, he returned with renewed focus and helped Nebraska maintain composure.
“Well, my legs were fresh — that helped,” he said with a smile. “You can really see what was going wrong with the game [on the sideline]. I knew that when I came back in, all I had to do was bring energy, just be steady on offense and things will get turned around.”
He said Nebraska’s improved pace and decision-making were critical after halftime.
“We were just going a little bit too fast in transition at times — not playing with smart pace,” he said. “When we don’t turn it over much in transition and get good shots, that’s when we win games.”
USC was led by Chad Baker-Mazara’s 14 points, but struggled to keep Nebraska off the boards and could not match the Huskers’ second-half execution.
“I think Sam Hoiberg makes a huge difference,” USC coach Eric Musselman said. “We didn’t rebound the ball. Our athleticism and our length…we should be able to rebound the ball better than what we did tonight.”
Nebraska’s physicality and discipline ultimately proved decisive, as the Huskers consistently turned defensive stops into scoring opportunities.
The win gives Nebraska a strong start to its West Coast swing and valuable momentum heading into its next matchup.
“It’s huge,” Sandfort said. “We’re going to get some good rest, get reps in practice, and get ready for UCLA.”
With defense, rebounding and execution defining their second-half performance, the Huskers showed once again why they remain one of the nation’s most complete and dangerous teams.