INDIANOLA, Iowa – The Nebraska Wesleyan University men's basketball team delivered a dominant second-half performance to secure an 81-60 win over Simpson College on Wednesday night at Cowles Fieldhouse.
The Prairie Wolves (10-3, 3-1 ARC) showcased a balanced offensive attack, led by Jack Groeteke's 17 points and Conner Brown's double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds. Christian Winn added 13 points, while Carter Glenn contributed 10 points and an assist. NWU controlled the paint, outscoring the Storm 36-10 in the lane and converting 24 second-chance points.
Simpson (3-11, 0-5 ARC) was paced by Caden Rehmeier's 12 points, all from beyond the arc, and Colton Rasmussen, who added 13 points. The Storm struggled to find consistency, shooting just 38.9% from the field and committing 14 turnovers that NWU turned into 17 points.
How It Happened
The Prairie Wolves battled through a tightly contested first half. NWU opened the game with a quick layup by Groeteke, but Simpson later countered with a 6-0 run to seize early momentum and take a seven point advantage. The Storm's hot perimeter shooting, including four first-half triples from Rehmeier, helped Simpson stay competitive. Groeteke and Newton responded with key three point baskets, and NWU took a 39-34 lead into the break after a late layup from Jared Townsley.
The second half belonged to Nebraska Wesleyan. The Prairie Wolves opened the half with a stifling defensive effort, forcing two quick turnovers and converting them into five unanswered points. Newton drilled a three-pointer at the 18:55 mark to stretch the lead to double digits, and NWU never looked back.
Brown's dominance on the boards fueled NWU's relentless attack in the paint. The Prairie Wolves orchestrated a 15-0 run midway through the half, punctuated by a fast-break layup from Glenn. Defensively, NWU limited Simpson to just 34.5% shooting in the second half, holding the Storm without a field goal for nearly seven minutes during the decisive stretch.
With the game in hand, NWU's reserves added the finishing touches. Amun-Ra Collins connected on two late three-pointers, and Isaac Holmes converted a pair of free throws to seal the Prairie Wolves' 21-point victory.
Up Next
Nebraska Wesleyan returns to Snyder Arena on Saturday, January 11, to face Wartburg College at 4:00 p.m.
The 2024-25 Men's and Women's basketball seasons are presented by TeamMates Mentoring. For more information, visit TeamMates Mentoring.
