Boxscore

WAVERLY-  Wartburg dropped a back-and-forth Iowa Conference quarterfinal with the University of Dubuque 58-55 Feb. 22.  An 8-2 run over the final 1:52, fueled by a four-of-five effort at the charity stripe, proved to be the difference.

Coach Bob Amsberry’s third-seeded Knights, despite falling to 21-5, did score 18 of the game’s first 26 points for a quick 10-point margin in the first half.  However, the visiting and sixth-seeded Spartans (11-15) whittled away at the deficit throughout the frame and trailed only 27-26 at the break. UD overtook their hosts early in the second stanza and eventually held as large as a seven-point lead (45-38). From that point, the Orange and Black battled right back to hold its final lead with 1:52 left.

The final statistics showed a different story in many areas than the final score revealed. Wartburg held a 29-26 edge on the glass, thanks to six rebounds from junior forward Emily Timmermans (Vinton)and five each from senior post player Katie Zittergruen (Van Horne) and senior guard Samantha Harrington (Nashua). Wartburg’s 45.7 percent field goal effort also out-shone the Spartans’ 42.9, but UD did hit five-of-11 from outside the arc, including four big three-pointers from guard Aimee Reyzer as part of an 18-point night, and took advantage of 23 Knights’ turnovers.

On the Knights’ scoring chart, Harrington produced a 24-point night, increasing her double-figure scoring streak to nine, to go along with four steals and her five boards. Sophomore forward Maddie Sadecky (Iowa City)also ended in double figures with 10 points.