GRINNELL, Iowa – Nebraska Wesleyan closed out non-conference play with a 121-103 win at Grinnell College in a matchup of two of the top scoring teams in the nation. The Prairie Wolves remained undefeated at 11-0 after the victory in the high scoring shootout.
Grinnell led by as many as 11 points in the first half before NWU went on a run and eventually took a 66-60 lead at halftime. The Prairie Wolves then held the Pioneers to just 24 percent shooting in the second half, making 4-29 from 3-point range.
NWU shot 54.2 percent from the field, scoring 76 points in the paint, compared to only 40 for Grinnell as the Pioneers attempted 46 total 3-pointers in the loss.
The Pioneers pulled within two points at 81-79 with 11:55 to play. NWU then went on a big run outscoring Grinnell 18-3 over the next four minutes to get a big double digit advantage. The lead would extend to 20 points with just over five minutes remaining and that was enough for the Prairie Wolves.
Three different NWU players recorded double doubles in the game and six players scored in double figures.
Jack Hiller led the team in scoring with 23 points and 12 rebounds.
Cooper Cook scored 22 points, going over the 1,000 point plateau for his career, and had 11 rebounds for his double-double. The final double-double was Deion Wells Ross with 18 points and a team-high 15 rebounds.
Ryan Garver scored 14 points with assists as the Prairie Wolves had 28 total assists in the game.
Kasey Conklin and
Dylan Dirks both scored double figures coming off the bench. Conlklin had 11 points and Dirks scored 10.
Nate Schimonitz made his season debut off the bench scoring nine points with six assists in his first game back after injury.
NWU finished with 64 total rebounds to hold a +8 advantage on the glass.
Vinny Curta, the nation's leading scorer, had 41 points to lead Grinnell College. Curta was 13-27 from the field and 15-22 at the free throw line.
Nebraska Wesleyan returns to Iowa Conference play starting Jan. 3 when they host Buena Vista University.
