BELTON, Texas - The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor men's basketball team used a late offensive surge to earn a 74-67 win over Nebraska Wesleyan University Saturday afternoon in Belton. The win improved the Cru to 8-4 on the season while the Prairie Wolves fell to 6-6.
 
Nebraska Wesleyan opened the game on 7-0 run before Ty Prince put the Cru on the board with a jumper at the 17:01 mark. Josiah Johnson hit a pair of foul shots to cut the lead to three after that. UMHB took the lead at 12:14 with a three-pointer at the top of the key from Sam Reaves and extended the lead with a layup from Nathan Stolz.
 
The Cru led by as many as 12 points in the half and went into halftime up 34-28. Johnson totaled 18 points in the first half while Ty Prince added six. UMHB forced 12 turnovers in the half and limited the Prairie Wolves to a 37 percent performance from the field. The Cru totaled 18 points in the paint and 10 points off turnovers in the half.
 
NWU fought back in the second half, tying the contest at 40 with 14:31 left to play. The Prairie Wolves went on an 8-0 run from that point to take another lead. The Cru fought back, tying the game with 8:08 remaining with a steal and dunk from Prince. Nebraska Wesleyan took another quick lead before UMHB tied it at 60 with 3:41 remaining. Prince gave the Cru a lead with a jumper at 3:05, followed by a three-pointer from Kyle Wright. Josiah Johnson extended the lead to seven points with 1:51 left to play. UMHB held on for the 74-67 win, hitting five foul shots in the final minute.
 
Johnson led the Cru with 26 points, followed by Prince with 19. UMHB shot 50 percent in the contest with 28 field goals. UMHB totaled 28 points off turnovers with 42 points in the paint and 24 fast break points. Hearne led the Cru with nine rebounds, followed by Johnson with eight. Prince and Johnson led the Cru with five assists each while Johnson added five steals. UMHB forced 22 turnovers in the contest with 17 steals.
 
UMHB returns to action in a conference road swing next week. The Cru opens with a 7:30 p.m. contest at University of the Ozarks before taking on UT Dallas at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 7^th.