LINCOLN, Neb. – The Wartburg College Knights men's basketball team (9-6 overall, 3-3 A-R-C) fell to No. 1 Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves (15-0, 6-0) 89-73 Saturday.
 
The Orange and Black trailed 40-26 with five minutes remaining in the first half before embarking on a 14-3 run over final minutes to trim the lead to three at 43-40 going into the break. Three-straight empty possessions to start the second half for the Knights allowed for Nebraska Wesleyan to regain a double-digit lead (53-40) within the first two minutes of the second half.
 
Two free throws by freshman forward Aidan Weber (Phoenix, Ariz.) brought the deficit within nine (57-48) with 15:35 left to play in the second half. However, Nebraska Wesleyan's Cooper Cook and Nate Bahe would hit three three-pointers over the next three possessions to regain an 18-point lead (66-48) with 13:58 play in the second half. Wartburg would struggle to muster a comeback, as the Knights trailed by as much as 23 points before being defeated by the No. 1 ranked Nebraska Wesleyan University Prairie Wolves 89-73.
 
Senior guard Cam Kickbush (Reinbeck) led the Knights in scoring with a career-high 27 points, connecting on career-high eight three-pointers, which tied the school record. His eight three-pointers gives him  217 for his career, which ranks third in program history, and trailing second place by one made trey (218).
 
Trailing Kickbush in scoring was Tyler Zumbach (Anamosa), who tied a career-high with 10 points on four of seven shooting from the floor (.571). Senior center Josh Gehling (Dyersville) led all rebounders by pulling in nine boards in 19 minutes of action. Wartburg had 10 different players score throughout the game.
 
The Knights led the Prairie Wolves in rebounds (37-36) and steals (7-6). Nebraska Wesleyan led the Knights in all shooting statistical categories, assists (25-17) and blocks (5-2).
 
The Knights will return to action on Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 8 p.m., when they travel to face Buena Vista (8-8, 2-5).