Nebraska Wesleyan opened the 2009-10 men's basketball season in thrilling style, but lost 74-72 in overtime to the Milwaukee School of Engineering at the Bill Merris Tournament in Jacksonville, Ill., on Friday night (Nov. 20).

NWU led by 11 at halftime, 33-22, but the Raiders outscored the Prairie Wolves 41-30 in the second half.  MSOE had a chance to win the game in regulation as they led NWU by four points late in regulation. Bryce Arp made a great steal then hit a reverse layup to pull within two points at 63-61.

MSOE was called for traveling with 20.5 seconds remaining giving NWU the chance to tie the game.  Ryan Thramer found Nick Dinan for a wide open lay-up to tie the game at 63-63.  MSOE's last second 3-pointer missed sending the game to overtime.

In overtime, the Prairie Wolves led by five points with under a minute to play after Jake Spurgeon hit his second 3-pointer of overtime putting NWU up 72-67.

MSOE then made a basket and hit a free throw to convert a 3-point play with 41.4 seconds left.  NWU then immediately turned the ball over and the Raiders missed a layup.  Arp was fouled on the rebound, but missed both free throws giving MSOE a chance.

Bennet Deacon hit a 3-pointer with 13 seconds left to put the Raiders up by one.  After a NWU miss, they added one free throw making the game 74-72 with 4.9 seconds to play.

NWU attempted a full-court pass that was intercepted to end the game.

Arp led three NWU players in double figures with 17 points off the bench.  Nick Dinan scored 14 and Jake Spurgeon added 12.

NWU will play the consolation game on Saturday at 1 pm, against the loser of Simpson College and Illinois College.