LINCOLN, Neb. (February 20, 2021) - The Nebraska Wesleyan women's basketball team defeated Luther (0-6, 0-6 A-R-C), 62-59, for its first victory for the 2020-2021 season. The Prairie Wolves connected on a season-high eight three pointers in the victory. 

A well defended inbound play with three seconds left in the game forced Luther to miss a contested three-pointer as NWU fought off a late rally. Two three-pointers from Abbie Skupa and a three-pointer from Paige Ravenscroft helped NWU to its biggest lead of the game, 55-42, with just four minutes to go. The Norse used a 15-6 run to get within four points with just 28 seconds left. Skupa answered with a free-throw to put the game back to a five point margin with 23 seconds remaining. A quick layup and defensive stop by Luther set Nebraska Wesleyan up to flex its defensive muscle and win the game on the final possession.

NWU wasted little time finding its rhythm early in the game as it bolted out to a 14-4 lead midway through the first quarter and had a 19-8 advantage at the end of the quarter. The Prairie Wolves were red-hot in the opening quarter as they shot 66.7 percent from beyond the three-point arc and 57.1 percent from the field in the opening frame. 

The Prairie Wolves had a season-best 57.1 three-point shooting percent in the game. Abbie Skupa connected on four of those eight three-pointers and shot a season-best 80 percent from the three-point line. NWU also held Luther to just four threes for the game and a three-point percentage of 28.6, both lowest by a Prairie Wolf opponent this season.

Notable Stats and Performances
-The 19 first quarter points is the most by Nebraska Wesleyan this season.
-Nebraska Wesleyan shot over 40 percent from the field for the second straight game.
-Johanna Vandenack's 23 points and Abbie Skupa's 17 points were both career-highs.
-Vandenack has scored a career-high for points in back-to-back games.
-NWU won the rebounding margin 35-32.
-Luther's Lizzie Kauls had a game-high nine rebounds. 

What's Next
Nebraska Wesleyan travels to Central College on Febraury 22 for a 6 p.m. game in Pella, Iowa.