LINCOLN, Neb. (December 29th, 2024) - Nebraska Wesleyan women's basketball is set to ring in 2025 at the Twin Cities New Years Classic.

LOCATION, GAME TIME, LIVE STREAM & LIVE STATS
Nebraska Wesleyan will face the University of Northwestern (MN) and Crown College during the two day tournament. The Prairie Wolves will play UNW at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, December 30th, before taking on Crown College at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31st.

ABOUT THE PRAIRIE WOLVES
Nebraska Wesleyan enters the week looking for their first win of the season, with a record of (0-9, 0-2 A-R-C). The Prairie Wolves took a tough 71-69 loss to Dubuque in their last game. 

Through nine games, the Prairie Wolves have shown promise, averaging 55.3 points per game while allowing 75.2 points per game on the defensive end. The Black and Gold are working to improve their shooting consistency, currently at 35.5% from the field and 26.1% from beyond the arc. At the free-throw line, NWU has converted 66% of their attempts.

Nebraska Wesleyan averages 34.9 rebounds per game. The team has also demonstrated a strong commitment to ball movement, recording 10.3 assists per game. Defensively, the Prairie Wolves are active and consistently apply pressure to their opponents, averaging 8.3 steals per game and 1.4 blocks per contest.

STATISTICAL LEADERS
Minutes Per Game: Brynn Sebek - 29.0
Shooting Percentage: Mackenzie Griffin- 48.8%
Points Per Game: Jada Smith - 11.1
Three Point Percentage (min. 5 attempts): Mackenzie Griffin- 38.5%
Made Three Pointers: Brynn Sebek - 11
Free Throw Percentage (min 4 attempts): Maddie Demke - 86.4%
Made Free Throws. Maddie Demke - 19
Rebounds Per Game: Carney Black - 7.4
Assists: Maddie Demke - 23
Blocks: Jada Smith - 4
Steals: Maddie Demke - 19

HEAD COACH JIM WIEDIE
Jim Wiedie is in his first season as head coach in 2024. He holds an 0-9 record as the head coach at NWU. Wiedie brings with him a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success. Wiedie has amassed an overall coaching record of 311-226 across 19 years as a head coach at the NCAA Division I and II levels. Known for his strong player development, Wiedie will look to instill a winning culture at Nebraska Wesleyan.

Before joining the Prairie Wolves, Wiedie served as an assistant coach at the University of Nebraska Omaha, focusing on recruiting and player development. He also holds the distinction of being the all-time winningest coach at both the University of Findlay during their Division II era and Indiana State University, leading those programs to new heights.

SCOUTING THE EAGLES
Northwestern enters this week with a record of (4-5, 0-0 UMAC). The Eagles score an average of 61 points per game, and allow an average of 60.1 points per game. Northwestern holds a shooting percentage of 36.4, with a 30.3 mark from three. The Eagles shoot a respectable 71.0% from the free throw line. The Eagles are led by coach David Pederson, in his 15th season. 

SERIES HISTORY AGAINST UNIVERSITY OF NORTHWESTERN
Monday will mark the second meeting between Nebraska Wesleyan and Northwestern. The Prairie Wolves won the lone prior meeting 63-44, on November 18th, 2017.

SCOUTING THE POLARS
Crown enters this week with a record of (1-8, 0-0 UMAC). The Polars score an average of 44.7 points per game, and allow an average of 65.0 points per game. Crown holds a shooting percentage of 30.2, with a 19.0 mark from three. The Polars shoot a respectable 54.6% from the free throw line. The Polars are led by coach Aaron Kahl, in his first season. 

SERIES HISTORY AGAINST CROWN COLLEGE
Tuesday will mark the third meeting between Nebraska Wesleyan and Crown, with each team winning one of the previous two meetings.

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