INDIANOLA, Iowa – Senior forward
Nick Howard poured in a career-high 30 points to lead Nebraska Wesleyan to a 65-62 American Rivers Conference victory over Simpson College Wednesday night at Cowles Fieldhouse.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Prairie Wolves (16-5, 11-1 A-R-C) controlled the first half, building a 31-24 advantage behind it's defense. Nebraska Wesleyan connected on 12-of-31 from the field and knocked down 4-of-5 free throws before intermission.
Simpson (8-12, 5-6 A-R-C) battled back in the second half, flipping the halftime deficit into a 49-38 lead midway through the period via a fourteen point run. The Storm's surge put the Prairie Wolves in unfamiliar territory, but Nebraska Wesleyan responded with composure. Nebraska Wesleyan climbed back into it with a tight defensive grip and getting downhill and drawing fouls offensively. The Prairie Wolves put together a 10-0 run of their own and regained control over the lead and the game with 4:29 left in the game. Howard proved unstoppable down the stretch, scoring 23 of his 30 points after halftime while shooting 7-of-12 from the floor and 7-of-8 at the free throw line in the second half. The Lenexa, Kansas, native added seven rebounds and three blocks in the winning effort. He finished 3-of-5 from three-point range for the game.
Simpson would hit the shots they needed to stay in the game late. After Howard split a pair of free throws with 22 seconds left, Simpson came down quickly and hit an open corner three to cut the lead to one.
Neal Mosser calmly stepped to the line and hit his pair of free throws. The score 65-62 with under ten seconds left, head coach
Dale Wellman elected to foul. Simpson missed the front end of the one-and-one, and got the offensive rebound. They kicked the ball out to the arc, but missed their final heave at the buzzer. Nebraska Wesleyan takes the win and adds to their now six game win streak and solo lead of the American Rivers Conference.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Nick Howard: 30 pts (career-high), 10-18 fg, 3-5 3FG, 7-8 FT, 7 rebs, 3 blks
- Christian Winn: 10 pts, 4-8 fg, 4 asts, 4 rebs
- Neal Mosser: 5 pts, 2-2 FT, 5 rebs, 3 asts, 4 stls
- Kason Simpson: 5 pts, 6 rebs
UP NEXT
Nebraska Wesleyan continues its conference schedule Saturday, February 7, when Wartburg College visits for a 4 p.m. Senior Day matchup. The game will also celebrate the university's new brand refresh featuring updated institutional and athletic marks.
