CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The Nebraska Wesleyan women's basketball team couldn't overcome a slow start, falling 66-46 to Coe College on Saturday afternoon at Kohawk Arena. The Prairie Wolves (1-22, 0-14 American Rivers Conference) struggled to find consistent offense, while the Kohawks (18-5, 10-4 A-R-C) capitalized on their depth and shooting to secure the win.
How It Happened
Nebraska Wesleyan had two players finish in double figures. Maddie Demke led the way with 12 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Alison Davis added 13 points off the bench. Carney Black contributed seven points and seven rebounds, and Rhya Cano chipped in four points and six rebounds in a solid effort off the bench.
The Prairie Wolves got off to a slow start, trailing 21-10 after the first quarter. The Prairie Wolves saw six players score in the opening frame, but NWU shot just 30.8% from the field and committed three turnovers that hindered their ability to keep pace.
In the second quarter, Davis provided a spark off the bench, scoring four points to help Nebraska Wesleyan stay within striking distance. However, the Prairie Wolves couldn't slow down Coe's offense, which extended its lead to 43-25 by halftime. Demke hit a three-pointer late in the quarter, but NWU struggled to string together consistent stops and baskets.
The third quarter saw Nebraska Wesleyan tighten up defensively, holding Coe to just 14 points. Davis and Black combined for nine points in the frame, with Black converting a tough mid-range jumper and Davis dominating the paint. Despite the improved effort, the Prairie Wolves couldn't cut into the deficit significantly, trailing 57-36 heading into the fourth.
In the final quarter, Davis added her final point to get to a team-high 13, but the Prairie Wolves couldn't overcome the early hole. Rhyanne Mackling contributed three points and three rebounds off the bench, while Brynn Sebek added three points and two steals. NWU shot just 34.0% from the field for the game and committed 13 turnovers, which proved costly in the loss.
Key Stats
Up Next
Nebraska Wesleyan will continue to travel for its final road game of the season,against Central College on Wednesday, February 19. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. in Pella, Iowa. The Prairie Wolves will look to end the season on a high note as they continue to build for the future.
