WAVERLY, Iowa - The No. 7-ranked Wartburg women's basketball team had a victory over American Rivers Conference rival Luther in Levick Wednesday, beating the Norse 80-69.

The Knights had a strong first half, allowing the Norse to score only seven points in the second quarter, taking a 35-18 lead heading into the locker rooms.

Senior Katie Lindeman hit two back-to-back threes to give the Orange and Black a 12 point lead with 7:15 left in the second. Sophomore Brea Dillavou connected two free throws in the final minute before the half to extend the Knights to a 17 point lead over Luther. 

Senior Amanda Brainerd hit a three at the 7:21 minute mark in the third giving Wartburg its biggest lead of the night with the Norse trailing by 22 points. Another three by Brainerd with just three minutes to go extended the team's lead back to 22 points before Luther connected two free throws to bring the game back within 20 points.

Luther outscored the Knights in the fourth, but were unable to come back and suffered its first conference loss to Wartburg. 

Brainerd and junior Payton Draper each notched 20 points for the Orange and Black, a career-high for both. Nine other Knights scored with 27 points coming from the bench. Wartburg was 26-of-59 in field goal shooting and 20-29 at the free throw line. The team had a combined 36 rebounds, 14 steals and one block.

The Knights, now 13-2 overall and 5-1 in conference, head to Cedar Rapids on Saturday, Jan. 18 to face conference opponent Coe College. Game start is at 2 p.m.