DUBUQUE, Iowa – Nebraska Wesleyan kept their postseason hopes alive with a crucial 56-50 road victory over at the University of Dubuque on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 11) in Iowa Conference women's basketball action.
 
The Prairie Wolves improve to 12-11 overall and 6-9 in IIAC action to remain in a tie for 6^th place in the league standings.  The top six teams in the final IIAC standings qualify for the postseason tournament.  The 12^th win for Nebraska Wesleyan is the highest win total for a Prairie Wolves women's basketball team since the 2000-01 season.
 
In a game that saw both teams struggle shooting the basketball, the Prairie Wolves got clutch baskets late to seal the win.  Both the Spartans and Prairie Wolves shot only 31% from the floor but NWU made just enough at the free throw line to earn the road win and their third victory in the last four games.
 
NWU led 50-46 with just under three minutes remaining.  The Prairie Wolves would have three straight possessions without even getting a shot attempt, but Dubuque couldn't cut into the lead as they had two turnovers and six straight missed field goal attempts.  Ann Schulte made a pair of free throws to give NWU a six point advantage, then Addie Wetzel went 1-2 at the line making it a three possession game with under 20 seconds left.  Dubuque finally made a field goal, but it was too late as NWU celebrated the win.
 
The Prairie Wolves led 13-10 after one quarter of play before going cold in the second quarter.  Nebraska Wesleyan was only 2-17 on field goal attempts for 11.8% in the second quarter as they were outscored 13-5.  Dubuque held a 23-18 lead at the half.
 
Shooting was much improved for the Prairie Wolves in the third quarter as they outscored the Spartans 21-10 to overtake the lead.  An 8-1 run to begin the third quarter tied the game then a 3-pointer by Wetzel with 5:27 left put the Prairie Wolves ahead.  They led by five points at the end of the period as Dubuque shot 3-15 during the quarter.
 
Dubuque came back to take over the lead midway through the 4^th quarter at 40-39 with 6:42 left in the game.   That was the last time the Spartans would hold the lead. 
 
Caitlin Navratil led the Prairie Wolves with 21 points and seven rebounds.  She was 7-14 from the floor and had two steals in 37 minutes of action.
 
Two other NWU players were in double figures on the day.  Addie Wetzel came off the bench to score 14 points with seven rebounds while Ann Schulte scored 13 points with four assists.