LINCOLN, Neb.-- The Wartburg men's basketball team (17-10 overall) fell 94-77 to Nebraska Wesleyan (23-3) in the Iowa Conference Tournament semifinal Thursday. The Prairie Wolves were the top seed as they won the regular season conference title, and the Knights were the five-seed.

Junior Jaran Sabus (Urbandale) led the team with 19 points. Classmate Cam Kickbush (Reinbeck) followed with 12 and freshman Max Smith Drahos (Cedar Rapids) rounded out the leading scorers with 10, and added a team-best five rebounds.

The Orange and Black were able to make it a one-point game three times in the first half, which included 21-20 with 9:48 to go in the frame. Nate Bahe later compiled a 10-3 run by himself to push the Prairie Wolves' lead to double digits once more.

Wartburg later made it an eight-point game at 51-43 with 13:50  to play as senior Nate Woeste (Atkins) made both of his free throws. Nebraska Wesleyan then made consecutive threes to take the 57-43 lead with 12:33 remaining.

The Prairie Wolves advanced to the conference tournament championship game and will host the sixth seed, Central, who upset the No. 2 seed Loras, this evening.