WAUKESHA, Wis. – No. 1 Nebraska Wesleyan trailed the entire first half but regained the lead early in the second half and held off a late charge as the Prairie Wolves defeated Carroll University 70-64 at the Pioneer Tip-Off Classic on Friday night.
 
NWU had 12 first half turnovers as they were behind 35-30 at halftime.  The Prairie Wolves trailed by as many as 11 points in the first half.
 
To start the second half, NWU came out of the locker room firing as they scored 12 points in the first three minutes and took their first lead of the game on a Nate Schimonitz layup making the score 42-40.  Carroll tied the game back at 42-42, but a quick five point run gave the Prairie Wolves the lead for good.
 
The Prairie Wolves would get up by as many as 10 points starting the half on a 24-9 run.  Carroll wouldn't go away and the game got tight in the closing minutes.  A 3-pointer by Nick Penny pulled the Pioneers within a point at 59-58 with 2:59 left in the game.  On the Prairie Wolves possession, Jack Hiller responded by draining a deep 3-pointer from the top of the key. 

Nate Schimonitz then extended the lead to seven points as he drilled a step back 3-pointer with just over one minute left. Carroll was able to make two 3-pointers in the final minute, but the Prairie Wolves sealed the win with free throws.
 
NWU took much better care of the basketball in the second half with only four turnovers.  They also shot over 50 percent (6-11) from 3-point range in the second half.  Carroll cooled off from long range hitting five 3-pointers in the second half on 16 attempts.
 
Jack Hiller had a big offensive performance to lead the Prairie Wolves.  Hiller scored 25 points, making 5-8 from 3-point range and 9-14 overall.  The only other player in double figures was Nate Schimonitz who ended with 17 points.  Schimonitz also was 5-8 from 3-point land.
 
As a team, the Prairie Wolves shot exactly 50 percent from the floor (25-50) and from 3-point range (13-26).  NWU once again struggled at the free throw line making just 7-15.
 
Carroll was led by Nick Penny with 22 points, including six 3-pointers.
 
Nebraska Wesleyan will close out the Pioneer Tip-Off Classic on Saturday at 2 pm facing St. Norbert College, a team that was picked to win the Midwest Conference.