STORM LAKE, Iowa - Nebraska Wesleyan never trailed after the opening minutes and withstood several Buena Vista pushes to earn a 65-52 road victory Wednesday night at Saggau Family Court. The win marked the Prairie Wolves' second straight and wrapped up the first half of American Rivers Conference play with a 12-5 overall record and a 7-1 mark in league action.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
Buena Vista scored the opening basket, but Nebraska Wesleyan quickly seized control. The Prairie Wolves rattled off a 10-0 run over the next six minutes to build a 10-2 advantage, setting the tone with physical defense and patient offense. The Beavers answered, and the game settled into a back-and-forth rhythm for much of the half.
With the score tied at 21, Nebraska Wesleyan delivered its most important stretch before the break. The Prairie Wolves closed the final four minutes on a 10-6 run to take a 31-27 lead into halftime, with Amun-Ra Collins providing a steady presence to help secure the four-point cushion.
Second Half
Both teams struggled to find offensive rhythm coming out of the locker room. Nebraska Wesleyan and Buena Vista combined for just 23 points over the first 10 minutes of the half as defensive pressure dictated the pace.
The second half remained tightly contested, but the Prairie Wolves repeatedly answered when momentum threatened to swing. After the Beavers cut the deficit to five, Devin Holmon battled inside, drew contact and calmly knocked down a pair of free throws to push the lead back to seven.
Nebraska Wesleyan put the game away in the closing minutes. Back-to-back three-pointers from Cash McCullough and Jared Townsley ignited a late surge, extending the Prairie Wolves' lead to 13 with under six minutes remaining. From there, Nebraska Wesleyan controlled the tempo and closed out the win at the free-throw line.
Inside the Box Score
- Nick Howard: 15 pts, 5-11 FG, 4-4 FT, 5 rebs., 3 asts, 1 stl, 29 minutes
- Neal Mosser: 12 pts, 3-9 3PT, 3 stls
- Devin Holmon: 5 pts, 7 rebs
- Seth Newton: 8 rebs, 3 asts
- Jared Townsley: 8 pts, 3 asts
Game Notes
- Nebraska Wesleyan opened the game on a 10-0 run after allowing the first basket.
- The Prairie Wolves led at halftime for the 11th time this season.
- Nebraska Wesleyan limited Buena Vista to 52 points, continuing to be the A-R-C's top defensive team statistically.
- The Prairie Wolves shot 12-of-16 from the free-throw line.
- Seth Newton pulled down a team-best eight rebounds.
- Nebraska Wesleyan finished with multiple players scoring in double figures for the 16th time this season.
UP NEXT
Nebraska Wesleyan will be off until Saturday, Jan. 24, when Luther visits Snyder Arena for a 4 p.m. tipoff.
