LINCOLN, Neb. (March 8, 2021) - The Nebraska Wesleyan men's basketball team (3-2) defeated Luther College (1-8), 66-61, in the opening round of the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) Championship. For NWU, it was its first home win since March 6, 2020, due to the COVID-19 Global Health Pandemic.
The Prairie Wolves led wire-to-wire in the win over the Norse. NWU took its biggest lead of the game at the 8:44 mark in the first half when Connor Riekenberg drained a three-pointer. Luther would chip away at the lead but Nebraska Wesleyan kept it at a seven-point advantage heading into the halftime break. NWU limited Luther to shoot just 23.5 percent from the three-point in the half.
In the second half, the NWU offense went cold as they made just one three-pointer in the half. Thomas Robertson's three-pointer with 4:09 left in the game proved to be pivotal for Nebraska Wesleyan. His shot pushed the lead to nine points, which Luther never could overcome. The Prairie Wolves made four free-throws down the stretch to ice the game and halt any comeback by the Norse.
Josh Rogers recorded a double-double with a game-high 15 points and 10 rebounds. His 15 points were also a career-high for him as a Prairie Wolf. As a team, Nebraska Wesleyan only committed eight turnovers, the lowest amount this season.
NWU was playing its first game since February 22, 2021, due to health and safety concerns.
Notable Stats and Performances
-Nebraska Wesleyan has won seven consecutive games in the American Rivers Conference Tournament.
-NWU won both games with the Norse this season as well as winning the last eight meetings and moves to 17-1 in the all-time series.
-The Prairie Wolves made 23 trips to the free-throw line, the most this season.
-10 players for Nebraska Wesleyan scored in the game, with six scoring at least six points.
-Peyton Priest and Terrence Gilder combined to go a perfect 5-for-5 at the free-throw line.
-Luther had two players score in double-digits.
What's Next
Nebraska Wesleyan advances to play top-seeded Dubuque on Tuesday, March 9 at 7 p.m. It will be the first meeting between the teams this season.
