Despite out-scoring the reigning NCAA Division III national champions in the second half, the University of Redlands men's basketball team suffered a 77-99 loss to Nebraska Wesleyan University on Friday night of the Snyder Classic in Lincoln, Nebraska. The top-ranked Prairie Wolves came out firing and quickly built a double-digit lead, which proved to be too much for the Maroon and Gray to overcome in the non-conference tilt.
While trailing early, the Bulldogs worked to counter NWU's efficient offense with back-to-back three-pointers from sophomore forward Parker Landolf (Alamo, CA), which cut Redlands' deficit down to two. However, the Prairie Wolves answered with a 16-2 run to gain a 24-8 advantage nearly midway through the first half.
Meanwhile, junior forward David Menary (Grass Valley, CA) worked to heat up the Maroon and Gray's scoring by knocking down eight consecutive points before first-year forward Gary Menary (Grass Valley, CA) chipped in a layup. With two more buckets and a free-throw from D. Menary, the brothers combined for 15 straight points for the Bulldogs. Despite their strong effort, the Prairie Wolves remained in control and owned a 50-21 lead with 3:16 left in the stanza.
Redlands closed out the half on a 15-2 run, which included nine points from the Menary brothers and cut the lead to 33-59 as the teams headed into the break.
During the second half, the Bulldogs stepped up to out-score NWU, 44-40, by using a total-team effort that included assists on 10 of 17 field goals. Junior guard Thomas Scriven (Anaheim, CA) found G. Menary for a three-pointer that sparked a 14-3 Redlands run, which made the deficit more manageable at 52-75.
The Maroon and Gray surged in a similar fashion down the stretch with 12 unanswered points, as highlighted by Scriven's six points on consecutive possessions. Although he knocked down another trey just over a minute later, the Prairie Wolves ran away with the 99-77 victory.
D. Menary paced the Bulldogs with 17 points on 6-for-9 shooting, to go along with six rebounds, including four on the offensive end. His effort on the glass led to the 14-12 advantage on that side of the rebounding battle. G. Menary provided 15 points, four rebounds, two steals, and two blocks off the bench. Senior guard Joey Sponheim (Redlands, CA) served as a dual-threat with nine points to accompany nine assists, which led to 22 points for his teammates.
As a team, the Bulldogs out-paced the Prairie Wolves, 17-11, in second-chance baskets and 32-28 in bench production.
Redlands (2-2) looks to make a rebuttal when it faces Greenville University (IL) on Saturday, November 24, to conclude the Snyder Classic. Tip-off is set for 12 noon PT.