DUBUQUE, Iowa — Nebraska Wesleyan closed the regular season Saturday afternoon with a narrow 68-65 loss to the University of Dubuque inside the Stolz Center, but the Prairie Wolves left with a larger prize secured.
With Loras falling to Buena Vista earlier in the day, Nebraska Wesleyan claimed the outright American Rivers Conference regular-season championship, its first outright title since 2020. The Prairie Wolves (18-7, 13-3 A-R-C) will be the No. 1 seed in next week's conference tournament and host a semifinal Thursday against the winner of Buena Vista and Dubuque.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Saturday's matchup carried the feel of postseason basketball throughout.
Dubuque used a late first-half push to create separation. A 9-4 run over the final five minutes sent the Spartans into the locker room with a 35-23 advantage. Nebraska Wesleyan managed six offensive rebounds in the opening half but was hampered by eight turnovers, while Dubuque committed five. Sophomore Devin Holmon and freshman Neal Mosser each scored six points to pace the Prairie Wolves before the break.
The tone shifted quickly after halftime.
Nebraska Wesleyan opened the second half with renewed energy, attacking downhill and tightening defensively. A sustained surge culminated in the Prairie Wolves taking the lead with 15:56 remaining. Senior Nick Howard, who was held scoreless in the first half, ignited the rally by scoring all 12 of his points over the final 20 minutes. He added a team-high eight rebounds.
The teams traded possessions down the stretch. Dubuque connected on seven second-half three-pointers, offsetting Nebraska Wesleyan's 42-33 scoring edge in the period. Mosser finished with 13 points, including three three-pointers, while Holmon matched him with 13.
In the closing seconds, the Spartans held a five-point advantage before Mosser broke free down the lane and was intentionally fouled with under 10 seconds to play. He converted both free throws to trim the margin and, after Nebraska Wesleyan regained possession, launched a deep step-back three that appeared on line but fell short. The ball deflected out of bounds off Dubuque, giving the Prairie Wolves one final chance with 1.2 seconds remaining.
Head coach Dale Wellman used a timeout to draw up the last play. The inbounds found Payson Gillespie on the perimeter, but his contested attempt at the horn came up short.
UP NEXT
Despite the result, Nebraska Wesleyan's body of work across the conference slate secured the program's first outright regular-season crown in six years. The Prairie Wolves now turn their focus to Thursday night in Lincoln, where a championship pursuit continues on their home floor. Game details will be announced later.
