The Nebraska Cornhuskers are heading home from Las Vegas with a lot more than just memories. Despite their three-week stay in southern Nevada after missing out on the NCAA tournament, Nebraska made their time worthwhile by securing the first-ever College Basketball Crown—and a cool $300,000 prize to boot.

In an electrifying showdown, Nebraska triumphed over the UCF Knights, 77-66. The game was neck-and-neck at halftime, tied at 35 apiece, but the second half saw wild swings in momentum that kept fans on the edge of their seats. UCF came out guns blazing with a 14-0 run to start the half. But Nebraska wasn’t about to roll over. Drawing inspiration from Houston’s Final Four comeback against Duke, the Cornhuskers launched a jaw-dropping 24-3 run, giving them a six-point lead with just over seven minutes left.

While UCF managed to cut the gap to four points briefly, Nebraska proved unstoppable down the stretch, widening the gap and sealing their victory in style. Over the final 14:36 of gameplay, Nebraska outscored UCF 42-17—a takeover so decisive it felt like a basketball masterclass.

Juwan Gary, the tournament’s MVP, shone brightly with 20 points and eight rebounds, while Brice Williams and Connor Essegian added 21 points each, with Essegian delivering his performance off the bench. For UCF, Jordan Ivy-Curry’s impressive 29-point effort couldn’t save the day.

Nebraska’s victory was fueled by their sharpshooting from beyond the arc, going 9-for-21 (42.9%) on three-pointers compared to UCF’s lackluster 7-for-29 (24.1%). Clearly, Nebraska’s precision made all the difference.

It’s safe to say Nebraska’s unexpected win in this inaugural tournament will have their fans celebrating for quite a while. A $300,000 prize and a slew of unforgettable moments? Not a bad way to spend three weeks in Vegas.

Nebraska Cornhuskers News

Nebraska Wins $300,000 Prize in College Basketball Crown Tournament