CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa--The No. 18 Wartburg men's basketball team (10-3 overall, 3-1 IIAC) fell to Coe (6-7, 2-2), 69-65 Saturday. 



Wartburg got on the board first with a layup from junior Josh Gehling (Dyersville), assisted by senior Nate Woeste (Atkins) to open the game at 19:19.

Coe fought back, opening their scoring in the first half on an 11-0 run against the Knights. 

The Orange and Black battled back within six at the half, as Coe led, 31-25. During the first half, senior Clifton Brown (Mims, Fla.) had a team-high seven points, going three-for-three in the paint and making one free throw. 

To start the second half for Wartburg, junior Jaran Sabus (Urbandale) made a field goal and also got the foul, scoring three points on Wartburg's opening possesion. 

During the second half, Coe led by as many as 17 points at 10:41. Wartburg would battle back to within three with just under three minutes left in the game. 

Offensively for Wartburg, Sabus led the team with 18 points. Woeste and Brown each scored double digit points with 15 and 12, respectively. Woeste also had a team-best three assists. 

On the defensive side of the ball, Herman tallied a team-high seven rebounds. Sabus and Brown each had six. 

The Knights had the advantages in free throws (12-8) and steals (7-5). 

Wartburg hosts Iowa Conference rival, Luther, Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 8 p.m. in Levick Arena.