LINCOLN, Neb. — Hot shooting and sustained interior pressure from a league co-leader proved decisive Saturday afternoon as Nebraska Wesleyan dropped a 62-36 American Rivers Conference decision to Wartburg on Senior Day at Snyder Arena.
The Prairie Wolves, honoring seniors Tessa Hurlburt, Carney Black and Alison Davis in pregame ceremonies and the starting lineup, battled throughout but could not overcome Wartburg's efficiency at both ends. Nebraska Wesleyan moved to 4-18 overall and 1-12 in conference play, while the Knights, tied for first in the A-R-C, improved to 16-6 overall and 12-1 in league action in front of 498 fans.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Nebraska Wesleyan set the tone early, matching Wartburg's opening basket with a Brynn Sebek three-pointer to tie the game at 3-3. The response from the visitors was immediate. Wartburg answered with quick scores in transition and in the paint, using an 11-3 run to create early separation.
The Prairie Wolves stayed composed and competitive in the opening quarter. Rhyanne Mackling, Black and Maddie Demke each knocked down free throws during a five-minute stretch, and Mackling added a tough driving layup through contact. Despite those efforts, consistent scoring from the Knights allowed Wartburg to carry a 13-8 advantage into the second quarter.
Wartburg pushed the margin to nine just three minutes into the second on a 6-2 run, but Nebraska Wesleyan answered behind effort and execution. Anastyn Pettlon cut the deficit with a strong layup, trimming the lead to seven with just under six minutes remaining. After a Knight scoring surge, Peyton Tritz drilled a late-shot-clock three to halt momentum and keep the Prairie Wolves within striking distance.
Another extended run by Wartburg late in the half proved pivotal. An 8-0 stretch widened the gap to 33-15 at the break, despite Nebraska Wesleyan continuing to compete defensively and on the glass.
At halftime, the contrast in offensive efficiency told much of the story. Wartburg shot 46.2 percent (12-of-26) from the field, leaning heavily on interior production with 18 points in the paint over the first 20 minutes. Nebraska Wesleyan, meanwhile, struggled from long range, finishing the half 2-of-15 from three-point territory.
The Knights carried that rhythm into the third quarter, opening the half with a 17-8 run to extend the lead to 50-23 midway through the period. Sebek accounted for six of the Prairie Wolves' points during that stretch, knocking down a pair of three-pointers. Black followed with a savvy fake handoff and finish at the rim, showing the poise and basketball IQ that has defined her senior campaign.
Wartburg closed the third with another three-pointer to take a 55-28 lead into the final 10 minutes.
Nebraska Wesleyan continued to play with resolve in the fourth quarter. Tritz opened the scoring with a free throw, and Black later connected on a three as part of a brief push that brought the score to 59-34 with four minutes remaining. Demke capped the afternoon for the Prairie Wolves at the line, sinking two free throws before the final horn.
Nebraska Wesleyan finished the game shooting 18.9 percent (10-of-53) from the field and 15.2 percent (5-of-33) from beyond the arc. Wartburg closed at 48 percent (24-of-50) shooting, while also holding advantages in points in the paint (38) and bench scoring (24).
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
UP NEXT
The Prairie Wolves will travel to Loras College next Saturday for a 2 p.m. tip in Dubuque.
