LINCOLN, Neb. (February 22, 2024) - The Nebraska Wesleyan men's basketball team defended home court and defeated the University of Dubuque, 73-67, Thursday night in the semifinals of the A-R-C tournament. 

HOW IT HAPPENED  

• Both teams had a sluggish start in the opening minutes, with the Spartans finally getting something to fall three minutes into the first half. However, the Black and Gold quickly responded with a three-pointer from Peter Lash, giving the Prairie Wolves their first lead of the night, 3-2.
• Half way through the first half, NWU's lead was taken by Dubuque. The Spartans found themselves up four with 9:40 left until halftime.
• With a championship appearance at stake, the Prairie Wolves relentlessly battled for every basket, ultimately reclaiming the lead with just 5:12 left on the clock. Courtesy of a lay-up from Amun-Ra Collins, Nebraska Wesleyan propelled to a 26-25 advantage.
• For the remainder of the first half, the Black and Gold capitalized on their lead and entered the break with a commanding 38-30 lead.
• After halftime, a three-pointer from Jack Groeteke helped pick things up for NWU and extended things to 41-34 with 15:52 remaining. 
• Fueled by the energy emanating from Synder Arena, the momentum stayed firmly in the hands of the Prairie Wolves as Carter Glenn hit a jumper just inside the three-point arc, 53-45. 
• Nebraska Wesleyan continued to impress the home crowd in the remaining minutes of the game with Carter Glenn's dagger from deep. Glenn's three-pointer lifted NWU to a 10-point advantage, 61-51.
• As the game clock wound down, Dale Wellman's squad found themselves at the free-throw line, where they finished shooting 71.9% on the night.
• The Prairie Wolves' decisive victory on home court over the Spartans, 73-67, secured a spot in the A-R-C Men's Basketball Championship on Saturday afternoon. It will be the first time Nebraska Wesleyan will have a chance at tournament gold since the 2019–20 season.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE       

• Peter Lash: 20 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists 
• Landon Torneten: 14 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists 
• Carter Glenn: 11 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists 
• Nebraska Wesleyan:      
  • FG: 47.7%      
  • 3PT: 40%      
  • FT: 71.9%      
• Dubuque University:      
  • FG: 40.7%     
  • 3PT: 20%      
  • FT: 60.9%     

UP NEXT
No. 1 Nebraska Wesleyan will host No. 3 Loras College on Saturday, February 24, in the championship game of the A-R-C Men's Basketball Tournament. The time is still to be determined.