WAVERLY, Iowa--The Wartburg men's basketball team (12-4 overall, 5-2 IIAC) defeated Buena Vista (12-4, 5-2), 85-65 Monday. 



The Orange and Black would open the game on back-to-back treys from juniors Cam Kickbush (Reinbeck) and Jaran Sabus (Urbandale) at 19:18 and 17:58, respectively. 

Three of Wartburg's opening four field goals were three pointers from Kickbush, Sabus and senior Sawyer Herman (Monticello). 

Buena Vista would fight back, tying the game at 15 with 11:54 left on the clock, after a jumper by David Jeffries. 

The Orange and Black wouldn't let the Beavers lead in the first half, as Wartburg led by their largest margin of nine points at 4:44 after a three pointer from Herman. 

At the half, Wartburg led Buena Vista, 42-37. In the first half alone, Wartburg's defense held Buena Vista to .154 from behind the arc, going two-for-13. 

The Beavers opened the second half on an 8-2 run, which would allow the Beavers to tie the game, 44-44 at 17:24.

Wartburg would build their lead in the second half to 25 points, before Buena Vista would go on a 5-0 run to end the game. 

For Wartburg's offense, Herman netted a team-high 20 points. Kickbush scored 13 points and freshman Max Smith Drahos (Cedar Rapids) tallied 10. Smith Drahos also recorded a team-best four assists.

On the defensive side of the ball, junior Josh Gehling (Dyersville) led the team in rebounds with five. Herman and Smith Drahos each had four. Herman also had a team-high three steals. Senior Nate Woeste (Atkins) recorded the team's lone block in the game. 

The Orange and Black held the advantages in field goal percentage (.500-.382), three-point field goal percentage (.370-.188), field goals (29-21), three-point field goals (10-6), rebounds (34-33), assists (13-9), blocks (1-0) and steals (9-6). 

Wartburg returns to action as they travel to Nebraska Wesleyan on Wednesday, Jan. 17 to face the Prairie Wolves at 8 p.m.