Boxscore

WAVERLY- With a balanced team effort, the Wartburg Knights picked up a key late-season Iowa Conference Feb. 12.

The 83-74 decision over league-leading Simpson moved the Orange and Black to 20-3 overall and 11-3 in the league, just a game behind a first-place tie between the Storm and Coe with two to play.  Coach Bob Amsberry’s crew is the first Knights’ squad to reach 20 victories since 2001-02.

It didn’t start well for the home side. The Storm (18-5, 12-2 IIAC) rolled out to a 28-11 lead midway through the first half. However, Wartburg whittled away and narrowed the margin to two at halftime (38-36). A game-changing 50-19 run continued in the second half and ended with the home team leading 61-47 with 11:27 remaining.

Senior guard Samantha Harrington (Nashua) led the Knights with 15 points, six assists and three steals.  Other key scorers for Wartburg were sophomore forward Maddie Sadecky (Iowa City) with 15 points, each of which came due to five three-pointers, freshman guard Carly Jacobs with 13 points, junior guard Stephanie Reiter (LaPorte City) with 11 points and freshman forward Rachel Leitz (Brooklyn Park, Minn.), with 10 points.

The Knights continue Iowa Conference play on Wednesday, Feb. 16, in Dubuque versus the University of Dubuque Spartans.  Tip-off is at 6 p.m.

NOTES:  Harrington bettered her streak to six games in double-figure scoring. .. The 11 three-pointers marked the fourth time this year Wartburg has been in double figures and tied the season-high. … The Orange and Black take a five-game win streak into the UD game.