HOW IT HAPPENED   

• In a non-conference game at the Santa Cruz Classic, the Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves defeated the UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs 65-63 tonight. The Prairie Wolves improve to 7-2 on the season, while the Banana Slugs fall to 6-7.
• NWU got the chance to showcase their offense first. The P-Wolves took a 2-0 lead on a step-back jumper by junior forward Jack Groeteke.  NWU's first three-pointer of the night came via Peter Lash's assist to Conner Brown.  NWU led 5-2 with 17:47 remaining in the first half.
• Both offenses struggled to find a rhythm in the first six minutes of the game, as both the P-Wolves and the Banana Slugs shot under 40% from the field.  The Prairie Wolves' swarming defense limited the Banana Slugs to 3-for-9 shooting in the first half.   
• The Prairie Wolf attack began to click, and NWU led 18-12 after the first ten minutes of play.  Junior forward Andrew Brewer's free throws capped off an 8-4 run by NWU.  At halftime, NWU led the Banana Slugs 28-25.
• The P-Wolves limited the Banana Slugs to 38.5 percent field goal shooting and outrebounded them 25-23.
• Peter Lash converted on a three pointer with 13:11 remaining in the second half, his three-pointer restored the P-Wolves' advantage to 42-41.  NWU trailed 48-51 with 10:00 remaining in the game.
• The score was tied at 55 with 7:37 left in the game.  With less than four minutes remaining, UC Santa Cruz trailed NWU 62-57.
• After Elijah Thatch's free throw put the Prairie Wolves up two with under five seconds remaining, Carter Glenn put the game on ice with his game sealing steal.
• NWU defeated UC Santa Cruz 65-63 to go to 7-2 on the season.  Peter Lash posted a double-double with, 22 points and 11 rebounds.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE   

• Peter Lash: 22 points, 11 rebounds,  1 steal
• Amun-Ra Collins: 8 points, 2 rebounds, 3 steals 
• Elijah Thatch: 7 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals  
• Jack Groeteke: 8 points, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks 
• Nebraska Wesleyan:  
  • FG: 36.1%  
  • 3PT: 42.1%  
  • FT: 59.1%  
• UC Santa Cruz:  
  • FG: 42.1% 
  • 3PT: 41.2%  
  • FT: 42.1% 

UP NEXT  
The Prairie Wolves' road trip continues tomorrow, December 20th, with a game versus Chapman set for 8:00 p.m. Central Time.