LINCOLN, Neb. - The Prairie Wolves of Nebraska Wesleyan University won an important conference game after taking down Loras 82-74 on Jan. 17, 2026, at Snyder Arena. Physicality, energy and balance led the Prairie Wolves to victory over their conference rival.
Coming into the game, Loras looked nearly untouchable. The Duhawks entered this matchup on a five-game winning streak and atop the A-R-C with a flawless 7-0 conference record. However, the Prairie Wolves weren't going to let the Duhawks beat them in their own gym.
How It Happened
It felt like the game would come down to the final possession, as the score was tied, 57-57, halfway through the second half, but the Prairie Wolves used a late 16-3 run to cross the finish line. Loras couldn't get within four points for the rest of the game.
After a pair of Jared Townsley free throws, putting Nebraska Wesleyan up eight points with :31 seconds left, the Prairie Wolves knew they had handed the Duhawks their first conference loss.
Nebraska Wesleyan head coach Dale Wellman believes physicality and execution in practice got the Prairie Wolves over the hump.
"We had the bye week, the bye day on Wednesday, so we had an opportunity to talk about what they (Loras) were going to do," Wellman said. "We knew they were going to be physical. They are always a good, physical defensive team. We had four good days of practicing what they were going to do. Our guys had a great week of practice, and that paid off during the game today."
Jared Townsley was the leader for the Prairie Wolves, as he exploded for a season-high 20-point performance, including 12 points down the stretch, to help lift Nebraska Wesleyan to the victory. Townsley's confidence grew throughout.
"My teammates (and) my coaches having confidence in me, Townsley said. I haven't really been shooting the ball all that well, but I saw a couple ones go down early, and that really helped. Just building off that confidence."
Christian Winn and Nick Howard were also significant contributors. Both finished in double figures, Winn with 13 on 5-for-12 shooting, and Howard with 14, shooting 6-for-11.
Nebraska Wesleyan improves to 11-5 on the season (6-1 in the A-R-C), while Loras falls to 13-4 (7-1 in the A-R-C).
Inside the Box Score
Up Next
Nebraska Wesleyan looks to improve to 12-5 as it hits the road after a three-game home stretch, traveling to Storm Lake, Iowa, for an A-R-C matchup at Buena Vista on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. CT.
