LINCOLN, Neb. – Morgan Muhlbauer made a layup as time expired to give Buena Vista a 52-52 buzzer beating victory over Nebraska Wesleyan in the IIAC women's basketball opener on Saturday (Dec. 3) at Snyder Arena.
 
NWU had taken a 52-51 lead with just under three seconds remaining as Caitlin Navratil sank a pair of free throws after being fouled on a shot attempt.  BVU called timeout and was able to advance the ball up to halfcourt.  Muhlbauer drove the lane and got the layup off as the buzzer went off.
 
It was a valiant comeback for the Prairie Wolves as they trailed by 11 points in the 4^th quarter 43-32.  From there, NWU went on a 13-2 run to tie the game at 45-45 on a layup by Morgan Nishida.  Audra Thramer hit two 3-pointers and Nishida added one 3-pointer during the run.
 
NWU took the lead 50-49 with 5:14 remaining in the game.  Neither team was able to score until five seconds were left in the game as Muhlbauer hit a layup to put BVU up one.  NWU retook the lead with the two free throws but Muhlbauer eventually got the game-winner.
 
The Prairie Wolves struggled shooting the basketball making only 27.8 percent from the field for the game as they were as cold as the snow outside Snyder Arena.  NWU was 3-24 from 3-ooint range through three quarters before connecting on four in the final period.
 
Morgan Nishida led NWU with 13 points as she was the only player to reach double figures.  Nishida was 3-6 on 3-pointers and also had two steals and two assists.  The two top scorers for NWU on the inside, Kate Schulte and Addie Wetzel were a combined 2-20 from the field.
 
Buena Vista also shot poorly from the floor at 31.1 percent.  Jasmine Demers led the way with 15 poitns while Muhlbauer chipped in 10 points.