FORT LAUDERDALE – Senior guard Cam Kickbush (Reinbeck) scored a career-high 25 points in the Wartburg College Knight's (6-4 overall) 79-58 victory over the New England College Pilgrims (7-2) in the opener of the Cruzin Classic. Kickbush's previous career-high was 23 points, a mark he set on Feb. 20, 2018, in a game at Simpson College.
 
Kickbush hit five three-pointers on eight attempts (62.5%) in addition to going a perfect four of four from the free throw line for the 12^th time in his career. Senior guard Jaran Sabus (Urbandale) flirted with a triple-double, as he pitched in 22 points, a career-high eight assists and tied for the team-high with seven rebounds.
 
The Knights quickly trailed by seven at the 14:09 mark, but managed to claw their way back into the game and took their second lead of the game with 5:57 to go in the first half after Kickbush hit a three-pointer to give the Knights a 23-21 lead. The Knights would go on to lead the rest of the way, leading by as much as 23 to snap their three-game losing streak in the tournament opener.
 
Wartburg led the Pilgrims in all shooting statistical categories, rebounds (41-31) and assists (16-9).
 
The Orange and Black will return to action tomorrow (Friday, Dec. 21) when they take on SUNY Poly at 5 p.m. (CT) in the final game of the Cruzin Classic.