WAVERLY, Iowa – The Wartburg men's basketball squad (1-0 overall) tipped off their season victorious as they defeated the Cornell College Rams (0-1) 90-77 on Tuesday night.
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The Knights got off to a quick start when senior guard
Jaran Sabus (Urbandale) drilled a three-pointer to open up the game and give the Knights the early 3-0 lead. The Knights and Rams would exchange baskets through the next five-plus minutes, including six lead changes, until the 14:38 mark where the Rams lead the Orange and Black 13-12.
On the ensuing possession, senior guard
Cam Kickbush (Reinbeck) would hit a three-pointer for his first basket of the game to bring the Knights up 15-13. Following Kickbush's three, the Knights went on a 30-18 run to head into halftime with the 45-31 lead.
A strong start to the second half gave the Knights 24-point lead (62-38) at the 14:27-minute mark following a layup by freshman forward
Aidan Weber (Phoeniz, Ariz.). The Knights biggest lead of the night came at the 6:13 mark, when junior center
Ryan Stulken (Walford) slammed down a dunk off of an assist from freshman guard
Spencer Touro (Newhall).
The Rams began to trim the Knights lead late, as they hit four threes in the final three minutes to get within 13 but the Orange and Black closed out the game to win their season opener 90-77.
Leading the Knights in scoring was Sabus with 16 points (5-7 FG) in 19 minutes of action. Senior center
Josh Gehling (Dyersville) led the team in total rebounds, securing one offensive and six defensive boards to give him seven total. Stulken added in 12 points and six boards, while sophomore guard
Max Smith Drahos (Cedar Rapids) pitched in 12 points and a career-high five steals.
Overall, the Knights shot 35-55 (63.6%), including 9-22 (40.9%) from the three-point arc and 11-14 (78.6%) from the free throw line. The Rams shot 22-45 (48.9%) from the floor, in addition to going 10-26 (38.5%) from three-point distance. The Knights
The Knights will return back to the hardwood on Saturday when they welcome NAIA-affiliated Viterbo (3-2).
