DECORAH, Iowa – Luther College jumped out to a 10-0 lead over Nebraska Wesleyan and they never gave up the lead as the Norse defeated the Prairie Wolves 71-61 in IIAC women's basketball action on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 28) at Regents Gym in Decorah, Iowa.
 
Nebraska Wesleyan defeated Luther by 24 points in the first meeting between the two teams, but the Norse had much better shooting in the second matchup.  Luther came out firing making three 3-pointers early in the first quarter to jump out to the 10-0 lead.
 
The Prairie Wolves (9-9, 3-7 IIAC) made three 3-pointers of their own in the 1^st quarter and crawled back to within 19-15 at the end of the first quarter.  The second quarter was controlled by the Norse as NWU went ice cold from the field.  The Prairie Wolves made only 2-12 shots and 0-7 from 3-point in the second quarter as Luther led 33-21 at the break.
 
Luther (11-7, 7-3 IIAC) maintained the lead in the third quarter as NWU gained only two points.  The Prairie Wolves were 3-3 from 3-point land in the third quarter but couldn't get much closer.
 
NWU made one late run to open the fourth quarter as got within four points at 53-49 with 8:54 to play.  Luther responded and scored eight straight points to get back up by 12 points.
 
Kate Schulte made three 3-pointers in the final four minutes of the game and NWU was back within seven points but they ran out of time as Luther earned the win.
 
Schulte had another big game to lead the Prairie Wolves with 21 points.  It was the second straight game that she scored over 20 points in a game after pouring in 26 on Monday.
 
Addie Wetzel was the other NWU player to reach double figures as she just missed a double-double of 11 points and nine rebounds.
 
NWU ended the game 10-26 from 3-point range but shot only 37.3 percent as a team.  They committed 18 turnovers and were out rebounded by eight.
 
Luther had  three players in double figures led by Laura Hamilton with 12 points, nine rebounds and five assists.