MANKATO, Minn. – The Vikings couldn't ask for a more exciting home-opener for the 2018-19 basketball season. On Monday, November 12th, the Vikings welcome the #1 team in the nation and the 2018 NCAA DIII National Champions to Mankato. The Nebraska Wesleyan University Prairie Wolves were the DIII champions last year and will be coming to BLC to play the Vikings in their first home game of the season.
The Bethany Vikings are now 2-0 on the season after winning two tough games on the road against Carleton College and Simpson College. The Vikings defeated the Carleton Knights 70-61 on Thursday, November 8th and then defeated the Simpson Storm 103-100 in overtime on Saturday, November 10th. Freshman point guard Cire Mayfield has led the Vikings and is currently averaging 21 points and seven assists. Trenton Krueger, a First Team All-UMAC selection in 2018, found his rhythm against the Storm as he tallied 21 points and recorded nine rebounds.
Nebraska Wesleyan is 1-0 this season after scoring 143 points in their opening win against Grinnell College. The Prairie Wolves boast three pre-season All-Americans in senior guard Ryan Garver, senior forward Cooper Cook, and junior guard Nate Schimonitz. Nebraska Wesleyan returns every player except one from last year's national championship team that finished with a record of 30-3. The last time the Prairie Wolves lost was on January 27th against Simpson College.
Last year, the Prairie Wolves hosted the Vikings in their NWU Snyder Thanksgiving Classic. The Prairie Wolves got the best of the Vikings last season winning by a score of 95-78. The Vikings were led in that game by Trenton Krueger with 20 points. Blake Lindstrom gave BLC 11 points off the bench. The Prairie Wolves got 29 points from forward Cooper Cook who will be in uniform for NWU on Monday night.
Come out and cheer on the Vikings as they take on the #1 team in the nation. The game will be Monday, November 12th at BLC. Tipoff is at 7 PM. The Bethany baseball team will also have their banner drop ceremony to celebrate their 2018 UMAC Championship and Tournament Championship.
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MEDIA: If you need further information, please feel free to contact Dan DeWitt at 507-344-7856 or email
ddewitt@blc.edu.
