Nebraska outlasts Vanderbilt in epic second-round NCAA Tournament showdown

OKLAHOMA CITY — First NCAA Tournament win? How about the first two? How about the first Sweet 16?

The Nebraska Cornhuskers got all of that done this weekend at Paycom Center, in front of what seemed like half the state of Nebraska roaring in red. The South Region No. 4 seed Cornhuskers had to earn it against No. 5 seed Vanderbilt, even with that crowd in its favor and the lead for most of the night.

A hard-fought 74-72 comeback win was completed when Nebraska reserve Braden Frager got a layup to go with 2.2 seconds left for the winning points. Vanderbilt’s ensuing halfcourt shot from sophomore guard Tyler Tanner went down … and then popped right back out. He hit the floor in disbelief as Nebraska fans celebrated.

Mark Byington’s Commodores (27-9) got their first lead with 8:26 left and held it until the final moments, when it traded back and forth. Tanner was the best player on the floor with 27 points, but Nebraska’s collective will was too strong down the stretch.

Fred Hoiberg’s Cornhuskers (28-6), after bludgeoning No. 13 seed Troy on Thursday to change an 0-for-8 program history in the NCAA Tournament — the last Power 4 program without a win — advance to Houston for the South Regional semifinals. Nebraska will play on Thursday against the winner of Sunday’s game between No. 1 seed  Florida and No. 9 seed Iowa.