Nebraska Overcomes Slow Start to Defeat Northwestern 68-49

Pryce Sandfort scored 29 points and Sam Hoiberg added 14 as No. 7 Nebraska overcame early struggles to beat Northwestern 68-49 on Saturday, completing a season sweep of the Wildcats.

The Cornhuskers (22-3, 11-3 Big Ten) started slowly, committing a season high-tying 18 turnovers and struggling from the field, but a strong second-half surge secured the victory. Nebraska’s reserve guard Cale Jacobsen scored eight of his 10 points and blocked a shot during a 14-4 run that turned a 39-38 deficit into a 52-43 lead. Northwestern managed just three field goals over the final 13 minutes.

Sandfort, who made six of 11 3-pointers, recorded his fourth game this season with 25 or more points and six or more three pointers. Hoiberg contributed 14 points, helping Nebraska recover from losses in three of their last four games while celebrating alumni weekend with more than 75 former players in attendance.

Northwestern (10-16, 2-13) came in seeking its highest-ranked road win in nine years after a 16-point lead against No. 2 Michigan earlier in the week ended in an 87-75 loss. The Wildcats led 28-27 at halftime but shot 35 percent in the second half, making just one of seven three-point attempts while committing eight turnovers. Big Ten scoring leader Nick Martinelli, averaging 22.5 points per game, missed his first six shots but finished with a team-high 11 points.

The win gives Nebraska momentum as they visit Iowa on Tuesday, the first of several challenging Big Ten matchups.

Northwestern will look to rebound when they host Maryland on Wednesday.