LINCOLN, Neb. (Jan. 14, 2023) – It all came down to the final moments on Saturday afternoon, and it just wasn't meant to be for Loras College men's basketball as the Duhawks fell 59-58 on the road to Nebraska Wesleyan University.

The Duhawks (11-5, 5-2 A-R-C) and Prairie Wolves (10-6, 5-2 A-R-C) entered the game with similar looking resumes, and that held true throughout this weekend matchup saw 10 lead changes, 1p ties and a largest lead of just six point.  

In the final minute, a layup from junior guard Declan Ciurlik put the Duhawks up by four at 58-54. After a timeout, NWU's Peter Lash drew a foul against the Duhawks and went to the line for two free throws. Lash knocked down both with just 25 seconds to play, forcing the Prairie Wolves to foul junior guard Ali Sabet on the next possession.

Sabet missed the front end of his one-and-one, giving the Prairie Wolves a chance to tie or take the lead with the final possession. Carter Glenn not only tied the game with a layup with eight seconds to play, but also drew a foul and completed the three-point play to put the Prairie Wolves up by one.

Loras' next possession was leading to trouble and prompted head coach Chris Martin to call a timeout and attempt to draw up a play with just a second and half remaining. On the ensuring play, Ciurlik caught the inbounds pass near the top of the key, but couldn't get space for a shot as the clock hit zero before his last-ditch heave could get in the air.

The loss marks six straight losses in Lincoln for the Duhawks, who have only one road win in the series since NWU joined the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) in 2016. Loras beat NWU 92-89 in Lincoln that season in the first ever conference meeting between the two teams.

Despite not getting the final shot off, Ciulik led all scorers in the defensive battle with 15 points. Each he and sophomore guard Jared Pearson, who came off the bench, sank a trio of three-pointers to help lead the Duhawk offense.

Sabet was the only other Duhawk in double figures as he finished with 10 points on just 4-for-12 shooting from the field. Loras also got nine points each from sophomore guard Tyler Bass and senior forward Zach Deering.

As a team, Loras shot 36.1 percent from the field compared to a 39.0 percent clip from the Prairie Wolves.

Loras will aim to get back in the win column on Wednesday, Jan. 18, when it travels to Waverly, Iowa to play Wartburg College at 7:30 P.M.