INDIANOLA, Iowa –
Caitlin Navratil made the game-winning layup with 18 seconds remaining and Simspon's attempt in the final seconds was off the mark as Nebraska Wesleyan picked up an impressive 85-84 road victory over the Storm on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 27) at Cowles Fieldhouse in Indianola, Iowa.
The Prairie Wolves improve to 13-7 and have already equaled their win total of one year ago which. NWU also evened the series with the Storm after losing to Simpson by 35 points in the first meeting.
NWU trailed by five points but for the third time in conference play, the Praiirie Wolves overcame a halftime deficit to earn a league win. NWU came back to tie the game at 67-67 at the end of the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter the lead changed hands seven times as neither team led by more than three points in the final period. Simpson took a one point lead on a layup by Noreen Morrow with 48 seconds left.
On the Prairie Wolves possession they missed a field goal attempt giving the ball back to Simpson. Navratil then stole the ball and took the ball down the court to make the eventual game-winning layup as she was also fouled. She missed the free throw giving the Storm a chance to earn the win. After a timeout to setup the play, Janey Botkins got a shot off before the buzzer but it was no good giving NWU the big road win.
Freshman
Macy Gustafson scored a career-high 22 points to lead Nebraska Wesleyan. Gustafson, whose previous high was 14 points, hit 9-11 at the free throw line and 6-17 from the field. Navratil scored 21 points making 2-2 on 3-pointers and 7-9 at the free throw line.
Klaire Phillips came off the bench to score 11 points.
NWU went 23-27 at the free throw line as a team, compared to 12-14 for Simpson.
Noreen Morrow and Janey Botkins both scored 18 points to lead Simpson.
Nebraska Wesleyan put themselves back into the postseason race as they climbed into a tie for 6
th place in the league standings at 4-7 in IIAC action. They will host second place Coe College on Wednesday.
