POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. -- Nebraska Wesleyan cut a 20-point 2nd half lead down to three points in the final minute but the rally came up just short as 15th-ranked Warner Pacific defeated the 18th-ranked Prairie Wolves 106-101 in the first round of the 2016 NAIA II Men's Basketball National Tournament on March 9 at Keeter Gymnasium in Point Lookout, Mo.

Nebraska Wesleyan's successful 2015-16 season comes to a close with a 22-8 overall record, but the Prairie Wolves magical run will be remembered for a long time.  NWU qualified for the postseason for the first time since 2001 and had the most wins in nearly 20 years.

Turnovers were the story of the game for Nebraska Wesleyan as they committed a season-high 28.  That total was nine more than any other game this season as the long and athletic zone defense of the Knights caused NWU troubles all night.

NWU trailed 57-43 at halftime, but it was the Prairie Wolves shooting that kept them in the game.  NWU made 7-10 from 3-point land in the first half and shot 53.3 percent from the floor, but Warner Pacific shot 53.5 percent.

Warner Pacific came out with a bang in the second half and maintained the double digit lead.  They got up by as many as 20 points and things looked bleak for NWU. 

Like they have all season, the Prairie Wolves didn't quit and cut the lead to 86-76 with six minutes to play.  WPC went on a 9-0 run to get back up by 19 and this time the gym thought the game was over.

NWU didn't want the season to end, so they gave one last effort to climb back into the game and this time they made a big push.  Travis Giesselmann banked in a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 103-96 with 43 seconds left.  Two free throws by WPC got back up by eight points, but senior Paul Newby made a layup with 28.2 left for a 104-98 game.

A turnover on the inbounds play gave NWU the ball and they responded.  Trey Bardsley nailed a fade away 3-pointer in the corner to pull NWU within three points at 104-101 with 18.9 left. 

Warner Pacific was able to make two free throws and NWU missed their final two 3-point attempts as the season came to an end.

NWU will leave their mark on the NAIA II Tournament as they set a record with 18 made 3-pointers, a record that had stood since 1999.  The Prairie Wolves were 18-35 from long range for 51.4 percent.  They shot 47.2 percent from the floor and outrebounded the Knights by 14, but the 28 turnovers were the main problem.

The two teams combined to set the record for most attempted 3-pointers (59) and tied for third most 3-pointers made (26) in a single game.

Senior Trey Bardley proved why he is the top player in the nation as he went out with another stirring performance.  Bardsley was 11-15 from the field, 8-9 from 3-point range and 9-11 at the free throw line to finish with 39 points.  Bardsley exited the court to a standing ovation from everyone in Keeter Gym and he will go down as a legend in NWU basketball history.

Senior Keithan Karn scored 19 points in his final game for the Prairie Wolves, making 5-9 from 3-point land.  Blake Ruiz tied his season high with 14 points, while Travis Giesselmann had a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Nebraska Wesleyan will miss the senior class of six players that led the Prairie Wolves back to basketball prominence.