WAVERLY, Iowa— Holding the Fontbonne University Griffins to only 13 first half points, the No. 10 Wartburg College Knights opened the 2021-22 season with an 84-37 victory inside Levick Arena.

How It Happened

The Griffins jumped out to a 6-2 lead on a 3-pointer by Kya Harbour. Zoey Long, on a pass from Brea Dillavou, brought the Knights within one at 5-6. Macy Harris connected with Maggie Wilkins for the Knights second 3-pointer of the first quarter and taking the lead with 5:54 remaining. The Knights would make five free throws in the first quarter to take a 13-6 lead before Jaedon Murphy scored in the paint. Murphy added a pair of free throws late in the quarter as the Knights took a 17-8 lead at the end of the first.

Sara Faber opened the second quarter with a fast break bucket, extending the Knights lead to eleven. Murphy, Taylor Runcher, and Gabby Schwarting hit three-straight 3-pointers as the Knights jumped out to a 31-10 lead with 5:26 remaining in the half. The Griffins had a nearly four-minute scoring drought as the Knights built their lead to 22. The Knights ended the first half on a 9-2 run, taking a 42-13 lead at the break.

Harris and Runchey hit back-to-back baskets in the first 31-seconds of the third quarter for the Knights. The Griffins went on a late 5-0 run, before Murphy hit a pair of layups late. The Griffins scored seven points in the last 1:30 of the third quarter as the Knights took a 38-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

The Knights defense held the Griffins to six points in the fourth quarter as Hannah Anderson and Long opened the quarter with a pair of 3-pointers. Lauren Woeste recorded a pair of rebounds late before scoring the final basket of the afternoon for the Knights.

Knights Stat Leaders

Murphy led the Knights in scoring with 13 points of 5-of-11 field goals and making both free throw attempts.

Faber added 11 points, while Dillavou tallied 10 for the Knights. Faber, Anderson, and Marissa Bartels were perfect from the free throw line (2-of-2) as the Knights missed only three free throws in the contest (83.3%).

Harris led the Knights in the rebounding category, collecting seven boards.

As a team, the Knights were 29-of-67 from field goal range (43.3%). The Knights recorded 41 rebounds, 14 assists, and 12 steals in the game. The Knights bench added 48 points, while the squad collected 31 points off turnovers.

Next Time in Action

The No. 10 Knights return to action on Nov. 17, traveling to the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
 
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