Hot-shooting Nebraska Wesleyan holds off Simpson men

INDIANOLA - Nick Dinan scored 16 points, Brett Potter hit the go-ahead layup with 46 seconds left and Nebraska Wesleyan beat Simpson 70-63 on Saturday at Cowles Fieldhouse.

After a deep three from Zack Barragan tied the game at 63, Potter kept the ensuing possession alive with an offensive board before his lay-in gave the Prairie Wolves (4-5) a two-point edge.

A turnover on Simpson's next possesion allowed Nebraska Wesleyan to sit on the ball, going 5-for-6 from the free throw line down the stretch.

The Prairie Wolves shot better than 57 percent from the field on the game.

JJ Vanderheiden scored 15 points and pulled down nine rebounds for the Storm (3-6), who lost for the third time in the last four games. Barragan added 15 points and Stefon Brown scored nine of his 14 points in the second half.

A back-and-forth affair the entire second half, neither team led by more than three until the final minute.

Simpson led as late as the 2:44 mark, when Barragan completed a three-point play for a 60-59 lead. But Dinan answered on the next possession, knocking down a jumper to swing the momentum back in NWU's favor.

Andy Schweitzer scored all 12 of his points in the second for the Prairie Wolves, who improved to 22-21 in the all-time series.

The Storm will enjoy the Holiday break before taking part in the 2010 Cactus Jam Tournament in Phoenix, Ariz. Simpson faces Linfield on Jan. 27 and Whitman on Jan. 28 before closing the tournament against defending national champion, Wisconsin-Stevens Point on Jan. 29