LINCOLN, Neb. -- It came down to the final second before the celebration could begin, but a Central College's potential game-tying 3-pointer went off the rim as Nebraska Wesleyan held on for the 52-49 victory for the first win of the season for the Prairie Wolves women's basketball team.

Courtney Cook hit a pair of free throws with 20 seconds remaining to put Nebraska Wesleyan ahead by three points.  The Dutch (3-1) came down the court and got a good look for the game-tying shot as Mariah Swartzendruber shot a 3-pointer that rattled off the rim into the hands of Kelly Sanchez who was fouled with 0.8 seconds remaining.

The game was a defensive battle throughout as neither team was able to get the shots to fall.  Central, which hadn't allowed an opponent to score over 50 points this season, show 34.6 percent from the floor and held a 29-24 lead at halftime. 

NWU (1-3) actually built up an 8-0 lead to start the game but another late first half drought allowed the Dutch to get ahead.  Central went on a 15-3 run during a six-minute stretch of the first half as they turned a three point deficit into a nine point advantage.

Nebraska Wesleyan didn't get the lead until the 10:53 mark when Felicia TeKolste got a fast break layup to go ahead 37-35.  Central clawed their way back and retook the lead at 49-48 on a free throw by Alison Malaby with 1:33 to play.  The Prairie Wolves turned the ball over on the next possession, but Central didn't convert on their offensive series with NWU getting another chance in the final minute.  Felicia TeKolste answered again as she knocked down a jumper in the middle of the floor to put them up 50-49.  Central tried to get ahead but the layup was off and Cook grabbed the rebound and was fouled to eventually seal with win with free throws.

The Prairie Wolves shot 32.8 percent as a team and just 18.2 from 3-point range (4-22) but held a decisive advantage on the glass outrebounding Central 48-33.  TeKolste led the Prairie Wolves with 15 points with nine rebounds and four assists.  Bridget Bucher was also in double figures with 10 points.  Amanda Diaz pulled down 10 rebounds.

Rachel Evans came off the bench to score 12 points for Central.