St. Norbert Falls to No. 1 Nebraska Wesleyan

From Asst. AD/Athletics Communications, November 17, 2018 | Men's Basketball
by Dan Lukes, dan.lukes@snc.edu, (920) 403-4077

WAUKESHA - St. Norbert College battled top-ranked Nebraska Wesleyan University and succumbed 77-67 at the Carroll University Nicholas Investments Tip-Off Tournament at Van Male Fieldhouse.

The Green Knights (1-2) held an early 5-0 lead on a 3-pointer by Joe Ciriacks and a basket by Connor Curtis, but the defending NCAA Division III champion went on a 10-0 run to take control and never trailed after that.

St. Norbert trailed 20-13 with 8:06 left before halftime on a Ciracks basket, but the Prairie Wolves went on a quick 7-0 run to double their lead. Nebraska Wesleyan led 37-25 at halftime.

The closest the Green Knights would get in the second half was a 75-67 deficit with 1:03 left after a Michael Payant 3-pointer.

St. Norbert shot 42.9 percent (27-for-63) from the floor but held a 43-29 rebounding advantage. Curtis, who was named to the All-Tournament team, scored 14 points and snatched 20 rebounds. It was the first 20-rebound game for a St. Norbert play since 1998, and only the second one since 1976. Jared Murphy came off the bench to score 13 points.

Nebraska Wesleyan shot 46.7 percent (28-for-60) form the floor. Nate Schimonitz led the Prairie Wolves with 24 points, while Dylan Dirks added 16 points.