Lincoln, Neb., March 7, 2020 – The No. 16-ranked Washington University in St. Louis men's basketball team put together its top defensive effort of the season in a 79-58 win at No. 7 Nebraska Wesleyan University in the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament Saturday in Lincoln, Neb.

WashU improved to 22-5 with the win, while Nebraska Wesleyan had its season come to an end with a 25-4 mark. The Bears advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2009 and for the seventh time in school history.

Sophomore forward Justin Hardy flirted with a triple-double with a career-high 26 points (4-5 3FG), 10 rebounds and six assists, while junior guard Jack Nolan had 24 points on six threes.  Senior forward DeVaughn Rucker added 12 points and six boards as WashU shot 44.6 percent (29-65) from the field and hit 14-of-38 threes.

WashU jumped out to an 11-2 lead following a three-pointer by Nolan, and the lead grew to 18-4 after a lay-up by Rucker. The Bears limited NWU to 2-of-12 shooting to start the contest.

The Prairie Wolves went without a field goal for over seven minutes, and a three from Hardy on the wing made it 23-5.

Junior guard Payden Webb hit a three to cap a 10-0 run as WashU pushed the lead to 41-10. 

The Bears led 44-17 at half after shooting 53.3 percent (16-30) from the field and hit 7-of-16 threes. Nolan had 13 points and Rucker added 10.  WashU limited Nebraska Wesleyan to 26.9 percent shooting (7-26) in the first half.

NWU opened the second half on a 18-6 run to trim the lead to 16 (50-35) with 14:38 left. Nolan ended a 13-0 run by the Prairie Wolves with a corner three.

WashU went on a 9-0 run to get the lead back to 25 (62-37), highlighted by a corner three by Webb. Hardy and Nolan followed with back-to-back threes to put the game out of reach. 

Cordell Gillingham had 15 points to lead NWU, while Jack hiller added 11. The Prairie Wolves shot 33.3 percent (16-48) from the field and hit just 5-of-23 from three-point range.

WashU takes on No. 11 North Central in the Sectional Semifinal on a date and location to be determined by the NCAA. 

BEAR NOTEBOOK: 
• WashU leads the all-time series 4-3, and the teams met for the first time in the NCAA Tournament since 1988
• The Bears have outrebounded 22 of 27 opponents this season
• WashU has a 35-19 all-time record in the NCAA Division III Tournament
• Nolan moved into 17th place on WashU's all-time scoring list (1,204)
• WashU has won 22 or more games 14 times in school history
• The Bears are 4-2 against ranked teams this season