Cornhuskers’ Historic Comeback Sinks Sooners in Sioux Falls Shootout

Nebraska’s Jamarques Lawrence (10) celebrates after hitting a three pointer Saturday at the Pentagon (Courtesy: Nebraska Athletics)

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — In a true game of runs at the Sanford Pentagon on Saturday night, the Nebraska Cornhuskers overcame a massive deficit and an offensive barrage from their former Big 12 rival, the Oklahoma Sooners, to clinch a thrilling 105-99 victory. The win extends Nebraska’s national-best winning streak to eight games, propelling the Huskers to a 4-0 start to the season.

The game became a historic one for the venue, with Nebraska’s 105 points setting the record for the most regulation points scored in a Division I men’s basketball game inside the 12-year-old Sanford Pentagon.

The Cornhuskers’ victory was built on an explosive second-half comeback after trailing by as many as 16 points late in the first half. The Sooners came out firing, quickly building a 10-0 lead and entering halftime up 51-44. That lead stretched to 10 points early in the second frame before Nebraska’s offense caught fire.

The Huskers roared back with an 11-0 run, capped by a three-point play from Cale Jacobsen, to take their first lead of the game at 64-63 with 12:40 remaining. The momentum-shifting run energized the heavily partisan Nebraska crowd and set the stage for a back-and-forth contest.

Nebraska’s precision shooting was the key to their rally, as they shot a blistering 64.3% in the second half for 61 points.

The Cornhuskers’ dynamic duo of Pryce Sandfort and Rienk Mast provided the bulk of the scoring and floor spacing needed to conquer the Sooners, with Sandfort putting up a career-high 28 points and Mast following close behind with 26 points on an efficient 9-of-16 shooting. Mast knocked down 5-of-7 attempts from behind the arc, contributing to the team’s total of 15 three-pointers on the night, shooting a remarkable 56% from deep (15-of-27). Forward Berke Büyüktuncel added 16 points, while guard Jamarques Lawrence contributed 14 points, all of which came in the crucial second half.

Beyond the scoring, Nebraska’s commitment to ball security was a critical difference-maker. The Cornhuskers committed an astonishingly low five turnovers while dishing out 20 assists, leading to a 17-8 advantage in points off turnovers. This disciplined play helped the Huskers maintain control down the stretch despite Oklahoma’s continued fight.

Oklahoma (2-2) also showcased an impressive offensive performance, led by Nijel Pack’s 27 points and six three-pointers, and Xzayvier Brown’s 20 points. The Sooners cut the lead to a single possession late in the second half, but Nebraska’s clutch shooting from the field and the free-throw line (22-of-28 for the game) allowed them to hold on for the hard-fought six-point victory.

The win not only pushes Nebraska’s record to 4-0 but also provides an early-season résumé builder in a high-scoring neutral-site battle. The Cornhuskers will look to continue their winning streak on Thursday, November 20, as they travel to Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center to face the New Mexico Lobos in the opening round of the Hall of Fame Classic.