LINCOLN, Neb. - The final afternoon of 2025 brought a defensive tug of war inside Snyder Arena, but Nebraska Wesleyan could never crack Grinnell's grip on the glass as the Prairie Wolves fell 58-40 in a New Year's Eve matinee. NWU held Grinnell under 30 percent shooting for the day and forced 14 turnovers, yet the Pioneers used overwhelming rebounding numbers and timely perimeter shooting to create separation before halftime and never looked back.
Carney Black and Anastyn Pettlon each reached 10 points to pace Nebraska Wesleyan, with Black working through traffic scoring all ten of her points in the paint. Pettlon hit a pair of threes and added an assist while serving as NWU's primary scorer for extended stretches. Alison Davis anchored the interior with eight rebounds, and Maddie Demke injected energy off the wing by chipping in seven points and swiping five steals, including two in the third quarter. Peyton Tritz handed out a team-high three assists while Brynn Sebek added three boards and knocked down a three.
Grinnell (5-7) countered with balance, scoring 18 points in the second quarter and building its advantage behind a dominant afternoon on the glass. The Pioneers grabbed 21 offensive rebounds and finished with a 57-29 edge overall, converting those second chances into an 11-3 margin in second chance points that proved decisive. NWU (3-9) shot 28.8 percent from the field and 14.3 percent from the arc, while Grinnell managed just 24 percent from deep but made up the gap by going 16-for-23 at the free throw line.
The game never fully swung in a single burst of momentum. The opening quarter stayed within two possessions the entire way, and NWU trailed only 10-8 after 10 minutes. Grinnell nudged ahead midway through the second behind back-to-back threes, then stretched the margin to 28-19 at halftime following a transition finish. Nebraska Wesleyan kept searching for scoring traction, but every spurt was met with a Grinnell answer and the deficit never dipped below eight the rest of the way.
How It Happened
First Quarter
Both defenses dictated early pace. Davis grabbed four first-quarter rebounds, and Black broke a scoring drought with a driving layup, but neither side found rhythm. NWU missed its first six threes while holding Grinnell without a trey of its own. The Pioneers owned a slight 10-8 edge after a layup with 1:06 remaining.
Second Quarter
Pettlon's second chance three from the left wing cut the deficit to 17-13 before Grinnell responded with a pair of threes from the top of the key. Demke kept the Prairie Wolves within range with a pullup jumper and Sebek hit two free throws, yet the Pioneers' rebounding edge began tilting the floor. By half, Grinnell held a +14 advantage on the boards, including eight on the offensive end, and led 28-19.
Third Quarter
Demke sparked NWU's best stretch of the day by scoring off of a turnover and then again drilling a three during an 8-0 run that trimmed the margin to 42-31. But Grinnell weathered the surge with consistent scoring at the rim and six made free throws in the period. Demke and Brynn Sebek combined for eight third quarter points, though NWU still trailed 43-31 heading into the fourth.
Fourth Quarter
Black scored twice in the lane while Mackling added a driving finish to pull the Prairie Wolves within eight early in the quarter. Pettlon drilled a deep three near the right slot to make it 49-38, but Grinnell steadied behind free throws and a putback to stretch its lead back comfortably into double digits. Demke created a steal late but the Prairie Wolves could not string together enough makes to close the gap.
Game Notes
- Grinnell controlled the paint in rebounding, grabbing 57 boards to NWU's 29. The Pioneers' 21 offensive rebounds led directly to an 11-3 second chance point advantage.
- NWU allowed just 29.5 percent shooting overall but couldn't convert enough possessions into points, shooting 17-for-59 from the floor.
- Maddie Demke's five steals marked her highest total this season.
- Carney Black reached double figures for the second time in three games.
- Pettlon hit multiple threes for the eighth time this year.
Up Next
Nebraska Wesleyan opens 2026 on the road, traveling to Wartburg on Saturday, January 3 for a 2 p.m. tipoff in Waverly.
