MOUNT VERNON, IOWA - Nebraska Wesleyan never quite found its offensive rhythm on Sunday afternoon, falling 86-57 to a sharp-shooting College of Saint Benedict squad inside the Small Athletic and Wellness Center of Cornell College. The loss drops NWU to 1-3 on the season.
How It Happened
First Quarter
Brynn Sebek picked up right where she left off at Cornell, getting herself to the line early and converting two free throws before adding a fast-break layup to keep NWU in reach at 9-5. But Saint Benedict countered with pace and threes, stretching the margin behind a 50 percent opening quarter. A late free throw from Sebek helped steady things, but the Prairie Wolves trailed 26-13 after ten minutes.
Second Quarter
CSB hit the gas out of the break, stacking back-to-back layups to balloon the deficit to 17 before NWU could settle in. Maddie Demke slipped in a layup to halt the run, and Peyton Tritz and Anastyn Pettlon added buckets as the Wolves tried to chip away. Rhyanne Mackling delivered the best spark of the quarter, scoring three points in the final minute, but the Bennies' balance held firm as NWU entered halftime down 44-28.
Third Quarter
Carney Black opened the half with her fourth straight game in the scoring column, but Saint Benedict answered with another run to push its advantage past 20. Sebek drilled NWU's lone three of the day midway through the quarter, marking her fourth straight game with a triple, but CSB continued to string together inside finishes and closed the period leading 67-41.
Fourth Quarter
Kiara Burnell entered ready to compete, scoring a pair of baskets to inject some life into the Prairie Wolves. Anisten Barnett added two late layups as NWU continued to play through the final buzzer. Pettlon cashed in two free throws in the final minute, but Saint Benedict's early cushion carried them home for the 86-57 decision.
Inside the Numbers
- Brynn Sebek – 12 points, 7-of-8 from the free throw line, hit the team's only three-pointer and has now connected from deep in all four games this season.
- Anastyn Pettlon – 10 points, three rebounds
- Peyton Tritz – 8 points, three rebounds, three assists
- Maddie Demke – 7 points, season-high three rebounds, four assists
- Carney Black – Team-high six rebounds, one assist
- NWU posted 23 bench points, led by Mackling (7) and Demke (7).
- NWU had 17 turnovers compared to Saint Benedict's 12, and NWU racked up five steals.
Up Next
Nebraska Wesleyan hits the road once more, traveling to Rapid City for an exhibition matchup at South Dakota Mines on Wednesday, November 19. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. CT.
