CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Nebraska Wesleyan University's women's basketball team showed resilience and shot-making in the second quarter Saturday afternoon, but a fast start and a decisive response by Coe College proved too much in an 81–60 setback.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Coe, tied atop the American Rivers Conference standings entering the day, set the tone early with a 21–6 advantage after one quarter. Nebraska Wesleyan settled in during the second period, finding rhythm from the perimeter and briefly shifting momentum. Maddie Demke connected on a three-pointer in the quarter, while Anastyn Pettlon added two more from long range as the Prairie Wolves trimmed into the deficit. Coe carried a 43–23 lead into halftime despite Nebraska Wesleyan's improved offensive flow.
The Prairie Wolves continued to compete in the second half and closed to within 14 points after Rhyanne Mackling knocked down a pair of free throws midway through the fourth quarter. That would be as close as Nebraska Wesleyan would get, as Coe responded with another scoring run behind efficient shooting and strong interior play to pull away down the stretch.
Pettlon paced Nebraska Wesleyan with a game-high 22 points, shooting 9-of-19 from the field and 4-of-9 from beyond the arc. She also added five assists and two steals in a well-rounded performance. Carney Black and Peyton Tritz each finished with 11 points, with Black pulling down a team-high eight rebounds. Tritz and Pettlon shared the team lead with five assists apiece.
Nebraska Wesleyan shot 41.8 percent from the floor and 36.0 percent from three-point range, while Coe converted 33 field goals and placed three players in double figures, led by Caydee Kirkham's 36 points.
UP NEXT
The Prairie Wolves remain on the road Wednesday, traveling to Indianola, Iowa, for a 5:30 p.m. conference matchup at Simpson College.
