Nebraska gets historic first NCAA Tournament win, powers past Troy in Oklahoma City

It finally happened.

After years of coming up short, after decades of waiting, Nebraska basketball has its moment.

The Cornhuskers earned the first NCAA Tournament win in program history on Thursday, pulling away from Troy for a convincing 76-47 victory that felt like more than just a first-round result. It felt like something that had been building for a long time.

And they did it with a crowd that felt like home.

Inside the arena in Oklahoma City, Nebraska fans showed up in a big way. Red filled the stands, and as the game slipped further out of reach for Troy, the energy only grew. It did not feel like a neutral site. It felt like something closer to a celebration.

A breakthrough moment years in the making

Programs carry history with them, especially in March.

For Nebraska, that history has not always been kind. The appearances have been rare, and the wins had never come. That is what made this one different from the start. There was something at stake beyond just advancing.

You could feel it as the game unfolded.

Nebraska did not play tight. They did not look overwhelmed. Instead, they played like a team that understood the opportunity in front of them and was ready to take it.

By halftime, they had already taken control, leading 41-25 behind efficient offense and steady defense.

From there, they only added to it.

Pryce Sandfort leads the way in statement performance

When Nebraska needed someone to take charge, Pryce Sandfort answered again.

After his strong first half, he finished with 23 points on 7-of-13 shooting, knocking down seven three-pointers and setting the tone offensively. Every time Troy showed signs of hanging around early, Sandfort responded.

But this was not just one player.

Rienk Mast added 11 points and 7 assists, helping control the flow of the game, while Jamarques Lawrence chipped in 13 points. Sam Hoiberg contributed across the board with 9 rebounds and steady play.

Nebraska looked like a complete team.

They shot 43 percent from the field, hit 14 threes, and most importantly, took care of the ball with just six turnovers. That kind of control is what wins games this time of year.

A crowd and a moment Nebraska won’t forget

As the second half wore on, the focus shifted from whether Nebraska would win to what the moment meant.

The crowd understood it. The players seemed to feel it.

This was not just about getting to the second round. It was about finally breaking through.

And now, the path continues.

Nebraska will face either Vanderbilt or McNeese State in the second round, a completely different challenge waiting just a couple of days away.

But for now, that can wait.

This was about history. And for the first time, Nebraska is moving forward in March.