LINCOLN, Neb. (March 1, 2024) - In the first round of the 2024 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament, Nebraska Wesleyan University defeated Centenary (LA), 58-41. The Prairie Wolves move on to the round of 32, where they will play the winner of the Trinity (TX) or UT-Dallas.  

HOW IT HAPPENED    

• Jack Groeteke got off to a hot start by making the first three shots, giving the Prairie Wolves an early 7-5 lead over Centenary. 
• The Black and Gold continued to find their rhythm after a three-pointer from Peter Lash gave Dale Wellman's squad a 15-8 lead with 14:27 remaining. 
• With 11:12 remaining, a layup from Jack Groeteke extended the Nebraska Wesleyan's lead to nine, 19-10, prompting a Centenary timeout. 
• After a few minutes without either team scoring, a deep three from Peter Lash ended the scoring drought for the NWU, extending things to 22-10 with 7:42 to play in the first half. 
• As the Gents gradually narrowed the gap, a steal from Carter Glenn, with seconds remaining in the opening half, enabled the Black and Gold to enter the break with a 26-24 advantage over Centenary. 
• The defensive pressure from the Gents forced a season-high 15 first-half turnovers for the Prairie Wolves. 
• Just in the first half, NWU's Peter Lash was on the verge of a double-double, contributing eight points and securing 10 rebounds. 
• The Gents got on the board first after the break, but Peter Lash countered from deep, helping the Prairie Wolves regain a 29-26 lead. 
• With the momentum in their favor, a three-pointer from Carter Glenn propelled the Black and Gold to a 34-26 lead with 17:16 remaining. 
• Carter Glenn continued to make a difference for Nebraska Wesleyan, extending their lead to 41-28 with another shot from behind the arc. 
• With 8:55 to play, a layup for Landon Torneten, followed by a three-pointer from PeterLash,h gave the Prairie Wolves the 46-31 lead. 
• Dale Wellman's squad continued to battle for every basket, with Jack Groeteke scoring a slam dunk followed by a three-pointer from Carter Glenn, making the score 51-35 with 4:16 remaining. 
• With the prospect of victory in sight, a three-pointer and a dunk from Jack Groeteke extended NWU's lead to 58-39 with 2:17 remaining. 
• As the seconds ticked away, the Prairie Wolves maintained their aggressive defense, securing a victory over the Gents with a final score of 58-41. 
• Nebraska Wesleyan improved their ball-handling in the final half and slowed down the Gents' pressure, only turning the ball over five times. 
• The defense of the Prairie Wolves held CC to just 17 points in the second half, respectfully. 
• Peter Lash finishes the game with 16 points and a career-high 21 rebounds. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE    

• Jack Groeteke: 20 points, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks 
• Peter Lash: 16 points, 21 rebounds, 2 steals 
• Carter Glenn: 13 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal     
• Nebraska Wesleyan:  
• FG: 38%    
• 3PT: 38%    
• FT: 100%   
• Centenary College:   
• FG: 24%   
• 3PT: 25%    
• FT: 67% 

UP NEXT 
The Prairie Wolves move on to the round of 32, where they will play the winner of the Trinity (TX) or UT-Dallas. Game time is set for 7:35 p.m. CST.