LINCOLN, Neb. - Nebraska Wesleyan University women's basketball controlled the tone from start to finish Saturday afternoon, turning defensive grit and timely shot making into a 64-59 American Rivers Conference victory over the University of Dubuque inside Snyder Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Sophomore Brynn Sebek paced the Prairie Wolves with a team high 16 points, knocking down timely perimeter shots, while senior Carney Black delivered a physical double-double to anchor the interior on both ends of the floor. Nebraska Wesleyan led nearly wire-to-wire, rarely surrendering the lead despite several late pushes from the Spartans.
The victory lifts the Prairie Wolves to 4-11 overall and 1-5 in A-R-C play, snapping a conference skid and securing their first league win of the 2025-26 season. Dubuque falls to 4-10 overall and 2-3 in conference action.
How It Happened
First Quarter
Nebraska Wesleyan struck first when Rhyanne Mackling converted a driving layup and free throw at the 6:55 mark, setting the tempo in a tightly contested opening period. Both teams traded possessions and baskets through the final minutes, with defense dictating pace. Anastyn Pettlon provided the decisive moment of the quarter, driving through traffic and finishing at the rim with three seconds remaining to give the Prairie Wolves a 12-11 edge after one.
Second Quarter
The Prairie Wolves applied pressure early in the second, forcing consecutive Dubuque turnovers that Peyton Tritz turned into points, finishing a strong drive and free throw to stretch the lead to seven. Dubuque responded by trimming the margin to three, but Pettlon halted the momentum with her first three pointer of the afternoon at the five minute mark, sparking a 5-2 Nebraska Wesleyan run. Alison added to the surge with a turnaround jumper at 1:56, sending the Prairie Wolves into halftime holding a 32-28 advantage.
Third Quarter
Nebraska Wesleyan opened the half with purpose. Sebek buried her third three of the game just four minutes into the period, pushing the lead to nine. Black controlled the glass and converted second chance opportunities as the Prairie Wolves maintained separation. Dubuque leaned on quick jumpers and aggressive cuts to slow the momentum, closing the quarter on a 9-7 run to pull within 49-41 entering the fourth, but never fully closing the gap.
Fourth Quarter
The Spartans continued to battle, but empty possessions and misplays worked against them as the clock became a factor. Pettlon opened the final period with a three, and Black followed with an up-and-under finish to steady the Prairie Wolves. Dubuque trimmed the deficit to four inside the final three minutes, but Nebraska Wesleyan executed down the stretch, converting key free throws and defensive stops to seal the 64-59 conference victory.
UP NEXTÂ
Nebraska Wesleyan continues American Rivers Conference play next Saturday with a home contest against Loras, Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 PM.
