The Nebraska Wesleyan women took over the lead with just under 12 minutes to play and would never trail again as the Prairie Wolves defeated Cornell College, 68-66, at the Cornell College Classic on Friday night (Nov. 20) in Mount Vernon, Iowa.

Sadie Struebing hit 1-2 free throws with four seconds remaining to put NWU up by two points and the final 3-point attempt by Cornell College was no good as the Prairie Wolves opened the season 1-0.

Freshman Mallory Shanahan had a great debut as she scored 17 points to lead the Prairie Wolves in scoring.  Junior Katy Golden also had 17 points, while freshman Katie Fagot came off the bench to go 3-3 from 3-point range and finish with 11 points. Golden and Struebing led NWU with six rebounds.

The Prairie Wolves will take on Edgewood College on Saturday in the second day of the classic.