LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Wesleyan improved to 5-0 on the season as they defeated Westminster College 104-103 on day two of the 28^th Annual Snyder Classic that was completed on Saturday night (Nov. 26) at Snyder Arena in Lincoln.
 
The Prairie Wolves built up a 20-point halftime lead, but had to hold off a furious Bluejays comeback.  NWU never trailed in the game, but Westminster got to as close as one point and made it very interesting late.
 
Nate Schimonitz hit 1-2 free throws to put the Prairie Wolves up 101-95 with 18 seconds left in the game.  Westminster pulled within two points as they made two free throws with 12 seconds remaining.  A quick foul sent Schimonitz back to the line where he made both attempts.  On the other end, Jimmy Villalobos made a 3-pointer with 0:03 left making the score 103-100.
 
A foul by the Bluejays put Schimonitz at the line again with 0.7 seconds left.  He missed the first attempt then made the second to make it a two possession game which was necessary as Cody Shaw hit a desperation half-court buzzer beater making the final score 104-103.
 
It looked early like the Prairie Wolves would run away from the Bluejays.  NWU went up 30-14 with just over 10 minutes to play as they made five 3-pointers, including four by Cooper Cook.  The lead was extended to 20 points at 46-26 with 6:10 remaining, but that would be the largest lead of the game.
 
Westminster, the preseason SLIAC favorite, ended the half on a 16-8 run to make the halftime score 54-42.
 
A 3-pointer by Jack Hiller put the Prairie Wolves ahead 60-45 with 17:40 left in the second half.  The Bluejays then scored 13 unanswered points to cut the lead down to two points and the game was tight the rest of the way.
 
Westminster got within one point at 66-65 with 12:21 remaining, but never in the second half were they able to take over the lead. 
 
Five players scored in double figures for the Prairie Wolves, with three players going over 20 points. 
 
Freshman Jack Hiller led the way with 25 points on 6-7 shooting from 3-point range.  He also pulled down four rebounds and had a steal.  Nate Schimonitz scored 22 pointss with four assists and Cooper Cook scored 20 points, including 18 in the first half. 
 
Deion Wells-Ross posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds to go along with three blocks, four assists and two steals.  Ryan Garver scored 15 points with three assists and two steals.
 
Jimmy Villalobos scored 36 points with six steals and seven rebounds to lead Westminster.  He was named to the All-Tournament team for the Bluejays.
 
Cooper Cook was the Tournament MVP and was joined on the All-Tournament team by Ryan Garver and Deion Wells-Ross.
 
NWU, now 5-0 for the first time since 2013-14, will begin their first run through Iowa Conference play on Wednesday as they travel to Waverly, Iowa to face Wartburg College.