LINCOLN, NEBRASKA – Nebraska’s stunning win over top-ranked Purdue on Monday night marked their first victory over a top-ranked team since 1982.

The game, held at Pinnacle Bank Arena, saw Nebraska surge past Purdue in the second half for an 88-72 win. The victory was celebrated with the kind of spirited frenzy that only comes with an unexpected upset.

Sam Hoiberg played a pivotal role in Nebraska’s first-half dominance, contributing to a 13-0 run that propelled the Huskers to an 11-point lead at halftime. Meanwhile, the Nebraska defense effectively neutralized Purdue’s Edey in the first half, holding the reigning National Player of the Year to just two points and four rebounds.

Despite Purdue’s attempts to rally in the second half, Nebraska maintained its lead, ultimately securing a 16-point victory. This was a significant win for Nebraska, considering they had previously lost to No. 15 Wisconsin before this game.

In the end, Tominaga led Nebraska to victory with 19 points, propelling the team to its first win over a ranked opponent all season. Nebraska’s strong performance in recent games, paired with this remarkable upset, will undoubtedly strengthen their NCAA tournament resume.

Purdue’s unexpected loss marks the second major upset of the evening, alongside No. 2 Houston’s loss to Iowa State. With both No. 1 and No. 2 teams suffering defeats, it is expected that No. 3 Kansas will move up in the rankings next week. Meanwhile, Purdue will have to regroup as they prepare to face Penn State, with no ranked opponents on their schedule until early February.