Courtesy of Nebraska Wesleyan Athletics.By Braden Smith NWU Sports Information Director LINCOLN–(Feb. 18)–The net will have to wait, but the hardware is already secured. Nebraska Wesleyan clinched at least a share of the American Rivers Conference regular-season championship Wednesday night, usi ng a decisive second-half surge to defeat Buena Vista, 81-71, inside Snyder Arena. The Prairie Wolves (18-6, 13-2 A-R-C) secured their seventh conference title since joining the league in 2016 and the 17th regular-season championship in program history. Nebraska Wesleyan can claim the outright crown Saturday with a win at the University of Dubuque or a Loras loss. The Prairie Wolves also remain in contention for the No. 1 seed and hosting rights throughout the conference tournament. HOW IT HAPPENED In a game that featured 12 lead changes and six ties, Nebraska Wesleyan separated itself midway through the second half with defense and timely execution. After Buena Vista (13-11, 6-9) built a 49-45 lead near the 12-minute mark, senior Seth Newton delivered the sequence that shifted momentum. Newton buried a corner 3-pointer to tie the game, then jumped a passing lane on the ensuing possession, converting a steal into a three-point play that ignited a crowd of 500. The five-point swing gave the Prairie Wolves control they would not relinquish. Newton finished with 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting and seven rebounds. Nick Howard led Nebraska Wesleyan with 16 points, hitting 2-of-5 from beyond the arc and 4-of-6 at the free-throw line. Jared Townsley added 13 points, including a 5-of-6 effort at the stripe, while Christian Winn produced one of the most complete stat lines of the night with 13 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals. Nebraska Wesleyan forced 14 turnovers and converted them into a 21-9 advantage in points off mistakes. The Prairie Wolves also owned a 14-6 edge in fast-break scoring and outscored Buena Vista 26-20 in the paint. A 12-8 margin in second-chance points further proved the difference. The opening half mirrored the first meeting between the teams, tight and possession-by-possession. Neither side led by more than two possessions over the first 15 minutes. A Winn 3-pointer with 5:44 remaining in the half pushed Nebraska Wesleyan ahead 25-20, but the Beavers responded with a 15-9 run to stay within striking distance. The Prairie Wolves carried a narrow 36-35 lead into the locker room. Buena Vista shot 48 percent in the first half. The Beavers finished at 45.1 percent overall and 36.4 percent from 3-point range, but Nebraska Wesleyan limited extended runs in the final 10 minutes. The Beavers received 20 points and 17 rebounds from Kyle Sternberg, who was a consistent interior presence. After Newton’s go-ahead sequence, the Prairie Wolves executed in the half court and at the line. A technical foul assessed to the Buena Vista coach in the final minute allowed Nebraska Wesleyan to extend a five-point lead to eight at the stripe. The Prairie Wolves closed 20-of-29 from the free-throw line and held the Beavers to 17-of-22. Despite shooting 41 percent from the field and 11-of-31 from beyond the arc, Nebraska Wesleyan’s depth proved steady. Devin Holmon added 12 points and five rebounds off the bench, and Neal Mosser dished out four assists as the Prairie Wolves totaled 16 assists on 25 made field goals. As the final seconds ticked away and both benches cleared, the significance settled in. Another banner is guaranteed. The rest is still to be decided. INSIDE THE BOX SCORE Nick Howard: 16 pts, 5-12 FG, 2-5 3FG, 5 rebs. Seth Newton: 15 pts, 5-6 FG, 7 rebs., 2 stls Devin Holmon: 12 pts, 5-9 FG, 5 rebs., 1 blk. Jared Townsley: 13 pts, 2-5 3FG, 5-6 FT, 5 rebs. Christian Winn: 13 pts, 2-5 3FG, 5-8 FT, 8 rebs., 4 asts, 2 stls Neal Mosser: 4 asts, 3 rebs. UP NEXT Nebraska Wesleyan closes the regular season Saturday at Dubuque. Tipoff between the Prairie Wolves and Spartans is scheduled for 4 p.m., with the outright conference title and potential top seed on the line. ...read more read less