Liberty native Bennett Stirtz scores 20 as Iowa beats Nebraska, advances to Elite Eight
By Nick Sloan
Published on March 27, 2026.
The Iowa Hawkeyes defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers 77-71 in the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, advancing to the Elite Eight. The Hawkeyes led by Bennett Stirtz, who scored 20 points on 7-of-15 shooting, including three from three-point range, while adding four assists in 40 minutes. Despite losing both Kansas and Missouri before the Sweet 16, Iowa managed to pull ahead late in the game. The team also benefited from contributions from players with Missouri ties, Tate Sage, Alvaro Folgueiras, Cooper Koch, Kael Combs, and Isaia Howard.
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