LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Wesleyan earned a hard fought 73-66 victory over Loras College on Saturday to move into sole possession of first place in the American Rivers Conference standings. The Prairie Wolves now sit at 16-4 overall, and 9-2 in American Rivers Conference action. Loras falls to 12-7 overall, and 6-4 in league action. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

The first quarter was highly contested with eight lead changes in the first six minutes of the game. With Loras ahead 14-13, Nick Howard knocked down a three point shot that jump started a 14-4 NWU run, and put the Prairie Wolves up 27-18 with 7:45 remaining in the first half. NWU would keep the Duhawks at arms reach over the remaining portion of the half, and brought a 36-30 lead into the locker room. Nebraska Wesleyan shot a blistering 45.16% from the floor in the first half, while Loras shot the ball at a 44.4 percent clip. 

Loras leaned on Nebraska Wesleyan coming out of half time, going on a 9-4 run and cutting the Prairie Wolf lead to one on three separate occasions. However, key shots from Seth Newton, Conner Brown, and Jack Groeteke helped Nebraska Wesleyan withstand the rally, with Groeteke's lay up launching NWU on a 9-0 run to go ahead 49-39. The two teams proceeded to trade baskets over the next six minutes, as Nebraska Wesleyan held a 61-51 lead with six minutes to play. Loras mustered one final push, going on a 9-0 run to cut the NWU lead to one. With pressure mounting, Nebraska Wesleyan clutched up from the free throw line over the remaining four minutes, going 8-9 from the charity stripe while outscoring Loras 12-6. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Jack Groeteke and Carter Glenn each finished with 17 points. Groeteke recorded six rebounds, four blocks, two steals, and one assist. Glenn tallied five assists, three rebounds, and three steals.
• Christian Winn added nine points, three assists, two rebounds, and one steal.
• Conner Brown finished with two points, a team high eight rebounds, and two steals.

Box Score Highlights

• Field Goal Percentage: NWU 47.3%, LC 33.3%
• Three-Point Percentage: NWU 31.6% (6-19), LC 25.8% (8-31)
• Rebounds: NWU 30, LC 44
• Turnovers: NWU 6, LC 14

• Saturday's win snapped a four game losing streak for Nebraska Wesleyan against Loras. 
• Nebraska Wesleyan has now posted a winning streak of at least five games for the second time this season.
• NWU remains unbeaten in conference play when Carter Glenn and Jack Groeteke both score 10 or more points.
• Nebraska Wesleyan is 14-0 when shooting at a .387 clip or better from the floor. 
• Nebraska Wesleyan is 8-3 on the season when winning the turnover battle.

UP NEXT

Nebraska Wesleyan heads to Waverly, Iowa, for a showdown with Wartburg College on Saturday, February 8th. Tip-off is set for 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.