Pioneers Fall in Heartbreaker

The Basics
Score: Kansas Wesleyan 70, MNU 69
Record: MNU (28-4), Kansas Wesleyan (24-7)
Location: Cook Center – Olathe, Kan.

OLATHE, Kan. – In a heartbreaking finish, the Pioneers fell 70-69 to Kansas Wesleyan in the NAIA National Tournament 1st Round. MNU held a narrow lead for much of the game and entered the fourth quarter with a lead, but Kansas Wesleyan's late push, including a game-winning basket with six seconds left, sealed the narrow defeat.

The 1st quarter was close as neither team could find much of a rhythm, and the Coyotes finished on a 5-0 run to take a 17-14 lead. Early in the 2nd, KWU scored 4 straight to take a 7-point lead, and MNU was forced to call a timeout. The Pioneers went on a 19-6 run over the next 7 minutes, and took a 4-point lead to the locker room.

MNU maintained a small lead throughout the 3rd quarter, and entered the 4th leading 51-49. Keona Schenck was especially clutch for the Pioneers, as every KWU push was answered with a Schenck bucket. But a 6-point MNU lead was wiped away by a 7-0 run, and MNU trailed by 1 with just over a minute to play. Zaylee Werth was fouled on the next possession, and the freshman calmly hit both free throws to give MNU the lead. The Pioneers got a stop, and Keona Schenck was fouled with 20 seconds left. The graduate student calmly hit her free throws as well, and MNU led by 3. KWU scored a quick layup, then forced a 5-second call on the ensuing inbounds play. Another quick layup put the Coyotes up by 1 with 6 seconds left, and a loose ball out of bounds gave MNU one more chance with 1.6 remaining. The inbounds pass found Kameron Green open under the basket, but the defender recovered just in time to block the shot, and Kansas Wesleyan celebrated the upset. 

Turning Point
Kansas Wesleyan's go-ahead basket with just six seconds left put the Coyotes ahead for good.

Inside the Box Score

• MNU shot 46.3% from the field and 30.0% from three-point range

• The Pioneers won the rebounding battle 36-27

• Kansas Wesleyan scored 21 points off turnovers compared to MNU's 16

• MNU's bench was held to just five points, while Kansas Wesleyan's reserves added 23

Individual Leaders

• Keona Schenck: 24 points (9-16 FG), 2 steals

• Zaylee Werth: 12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steal

• Kameron Green: 12 points (6-7 FG), 6 rebounds

• Aubrey Rogers: 11 points, 5 rebounds

Up Next
The next game is the 2025-26 season opener.