WAVERLY, Iowa - The top-seeded Wartburg women's basketball team advance to the American Rivers Conference Championship game for the fourth-straight year, after defeating No. 4 see Coe College 72-57 inside Levick Arena Thursday. The Knights wil host No. 2 seed Loras College after the Duhawks took down No. 3 seed Luther, 74-61.

Junior Payton Draper started off the match with two points after connecting a layup off an assist by junior Ally Conrad in the first 15 seconds.

The Kohawks responded with two, going neck-in-neck scoring with the Knights. With 2:43 left in the quarter, a three by senior Emma Gerdes put the Orange and Black up by double digits. 

A minute later, Draper connected a three off a Tori Hazard assist, contributing to Wartburg's 5-of-9 three's made in the first quarter alone.

The Orange and Black continued to break away in the second, taking the biggest lead of the half with 2:24 remaining after a layup by junior Kaitlyn Volesky put the Knights up by 19.

A set of free throws made by the Kohawks sent the score 38-21 heading into the locker rooms.

The Orange and Black remained leading Coe by double digits throughout the third, and ended the quarter with a 16 point ahead.

Coe brought the game back within 11 points three times during the final quarter, but was unable to make a comeback, falling to the Knights 72-57.

Four Knights scored in the double digits, with Gerdes leading with 17. Draper contributed 13 followed by Conrad who notched 12. Hazard rounded out with 10. Five other Knights scored with 20 points coming from the bench.

The Orange and Black was 28-of-62 in field goal shooting, 9-27 at the arc and went 7-10 from the free throw line. The team tallied a total 39 rebounds, 10 steals and one block.

No. 8 Wartburg, now 23-3 overall, will host No. 11/13 Loras inside Levick Arena for the A-R-C Championship game on Saturday, Feb. 29. Tipoff is at 4 p.m.