ORANGE CITY, Iowa -- Travis Giesselmann hit two free throws with 28.6 seconds remaining to give Nebraska Wesleyan a 1-point lead and the Prairie Wolves got a stop on the defensive end to hold on for a 97-92 victory over Northwestern College in GPAC men's basketball action on Saturday afternoon (Dec. 19) in Orange City.

It is just the second win for the Prairie Wolves in Orange City in the past 15 years and gives NWU a 8-3 overall record and 4-2 mark in GPAC play.  It is also just the third win over Northwestern in the last 19 meetings between the two teams.

Nebraska Wesleyan built up a big 20-point lead in the first half and led 52-37 at halftime.  Northwestern slowly chipped away in the second half and eventually got up by as many as seven points in the second half.

Trailing by three points late in the game, Travis Giesselmann nailed a deep 3-pointer to tie the game at 91-91.  Northwestern came down and went 1-2 at the free throw line with 45.6 seconds left to lead 92-91.

On NWU's possession, the Prairie Wolves found Giesselmann open under the basket and he was fouled on a shot attempt.  He calmly hit both free throws to go up 93-92.

Northwestern set up their offensive play and had Colton Kooima drive the lane where he lost the ball that was recovered by Cooper Cook.  Cook was fouled and made both free throws with 3.6 seconds left to give NWU a 95-92 lead.

The Red Raiders had one last chance to tie the game, but their inbound pass went the length of the floor and landed out of bounds giving NWU the ball back.  Trey  Bardsley sealed the win with two free throws and send the Prairie Wolves into the holiday break with a victory.

NWU had an outstanding day from long range as they made 21-40 from 3-point range for 52.5 percent. The Prairie Wolves shot 54.1 percent from the field for the game.

Trey Bardsley had a game-high 33 points, making 9-13 from 3-point range coming just one short of tying the school record for 3-pointers made in a game.  Bardsley was 11-16 from the floor and 2-2 at the free throw line while dishing out a game-high four assists.

Cooper Cook exploded for 16 points in the first half and finished the game with 23 points.  Cook was 5-10 from 3-point range.  Also scoring in double figures were Travis Giesselmann and Keithan Karn.  Giesselmann had 15 points and nine rebounds, while Karn scored 14 on 4-5 from 3-point range.  Only six players scored for the Prairie Wolves as they racked up 97 points in the game.

Northwestern was led by Colton Kooima with 21 point and five made 3-pointers.  Jordan Baker had 18 points and nine rebounds.

NWU will have two weeks off before returning to action on January 2 as they host Mount Marty College.