LINCOLN, Neb. -- Trey Bardsley made two free throws with 2.6 seconds remaining in the game, then stole the Midland pass attempt on a last second try to tie the game as Nebraska Wesleyan held on for a thrilling 110-108 upset victory over the #8 Warriors on Wednesday night (Jan. 28) at Snyder Arena.

How the game got tied at 108-108 was something in itself. 

Nebraska Wesleyan opened the game making their first 12 shot attempts of the game, including 7-7 from 3-point range as the Prairie Wolves built up an early double digit lead.  NWU continued their scorching shooting the rest of the half at a rate of 72.4 percent from the field and 82.4 from 3-point range.  The Prairie Wolves were 14-17 from 3-point land in the first half and led 65-46 at the break.

Midland, who had held their last three opponents under 57 points, battled back hard in the 2nd half but NWU continued to answer.  The Warriors got to six points with 13:53 remaining, but NWU responded and got back up by 13 points.

Trey Bardsley hit a pair of free throws with 1:59 remaining giving NWU a 108-97 lead.  From there, Midland got a 3-pointer by Galen Gullie who was fouled on the make.  He missed the FT attempt, but the Warriors got the rebound and Jalen Hueser knocked in a 3-pointer for a six point possession making the score 108-103.  NWU missed a layup and Midland quickly hit a layup to cut the lead to 108-105 with 1:25 left.

A missed 3-pointer by Bardsley, gave Midland the ball with a chance to tie and they did just that on a 3-pointer by Jesse Jones with :44 remaining.  NWU drove down the lane for a layup with :25 left but missed, however Midland was out of bounds when they got the rebound giving NWU the ball for the last shot.

GPAC Player of the Week Bardsley held the ball to the final seconds and drove just inside the free throw line where he was bumped on the shot attempt sending him to the line where he calmly hit both free throws.

Midland had a chance to tie as they inbounded the ball to Alex Starkel near midcourt, but his pass to the sideline was intercepted by Bardsley and the NWU student section stormed the court for the celebration.

Nebraska Wesleyan went over 100 points for the 9th time this season and shot better from 3-point range than they did from the floor.  The Prairie Wolves were 20-32 from 3-point range for 62.5 percent, while making 61.0 from the field.  Another key stat was NWU making 18-24 at the free throw line, compared to 10-24 for the Warriors.

Midland was just as impressive on offense as they shot 60.9 percent and made 14-25 from 3-point range.  All five Warrior starters were in double figures, while Jalen Hueser came off the bench to lead them with 24 points making 5-7 from 3-point range.

NWU had five players in double figures as they got their record to .500 for the first time this season.  NWU is now 9-9 overall, 6-7 in GPAC play.

Trey Bardsley led the way with 28 points, making 6-11 from 3-point land and 6-6 at the free throw line. Bardsley also had a team-high eight assists with three steals.  Travis Giesselmann had 23 points, making 6-8 from 3-point range along with seven rebounds.

Keithan Karn chipped in four 3-pointers for 19 points, while Nick Stine made 3-5 from 3-point range for 18 points.  Blake Ruiz was 5-6 from the field for 10 points.

The Prairie Wolves remain in a tie for sixth place in the GPAC standings and will now hit the road to face #10 Morningside on Saturday, who is 1/2 game out of first place after an upset of #4 Dakota Wesleyan.