It was a magic season For Nebraska Wesleyan men’s basketball, but it came to an end Wednesday.
Nebraska Wesleyan cut a 20-point 2nd half lead down to three points in the final minute but the rally came up just short as 15th-ranked Warner Pacific defeated the 18th-ranked Prairie Wolves 106-101 in the first round of the 2016 NAIA II Men’s Basketball National Tournament on March 9 at Keeter Gymnasium in Point Lookout, Mo.
Nebraska Wesleyan’s successful 2015-16 season comes to a close with a 22-8 overall record, but the Prairie Wolves magical run will be remembered for a long time. NWU qualified for the postseason for the first time since 2001 and had the most wins in nearly 20 years.
Turnovers were the story of the game for Nebraska Wesleyan as they committed a season-high 28. That total was nine more than any other game this season as the long and athletic zone defense of the Knights caused NWU troubles all night.
NWU will leave their mark on the NAIA II Tournament as they set a record with 18 made 3-pointers. The Prairie Wolves were 18-35 from long range for 51.4 percent. They shot 47.2 percent from the floor and outrebounded the Knights by 14, but the 28 turnovers were the main problem.
