Eighth-ranked Hastings College opened the second half on a 17-4 run to overcome a halftime deficit and build a double digit lead as the Broncos defeated Nebraska Wesleyan, 65-52, in GPAC women's basketball action on Wednesday night (Dec. 7) in Hastings, Neb.

The Prairie Wolves fall to 1-6, 0-4 overall while the NAIA II No. 8 Broncos are now 9-1, 4-1 in GPAC.

After trailing by as many as eight points in the first half, Nebraska Wesleyan went on a 14-5 spurt to close out the half and end the first 20 minutes with a 27-25 lead.

Hastings then come out firing to start the second half and proved why they are ranked No. 8 in NAIA II. NWU committed five turnovers and made just two field goals in the first six minutes of the second half as they fell behind by 11 points.

The feisty Prairie Wolves kept battling and a basket by Carolina Alves with 7:13 to play pulled NWU within two points at 50-48. NWU stayed within range the next five minutes and a free throw by Melissa Bennett with 2:11 left made the score 57-52. However, NWU did not score the rest of the game as the Broncos sealed the win.

Shea Rasmussen had the hot hand for the Prairie Wolves hitting 4-7 from 3-point range for a team-high 20 points. Alves also scored in double figures with 15 points and seven rebounds.

Alicia Statler had 24 points and nine rebounds to lead Hastings.