WAVERLY, Iowa – Wartburg men's basketball moved to 8-1 (2-0 A-R-C) overall after defeating the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire 82-70 at home on Thursday, Dec. 9.
After a six-to-six start to the game, Wartburg went on a 15-0 run capped off by a
Jack Molstead jump shot to make the score 21-5 in favor of the Knights. The Orange and Black would grow the lead to 20 at its highest point in the first half and took a 14-point lead into the break.
Davis Roquet had 11 of the Knights' 40 first half points to lead the offense.
The Knights controlled the beginning of the half with a steal from
Drew Olson and a block from
Codey Hicks that turned into a three-pointer and layup on the other end. With 9:20 left in the game a Cade Hall layup brought the score within 10, but Wartburg answered with layups from both
Cade Daugherty and
Marshun Williams to make the score 70-57.
The Blugolds made a run again with just over six minutes to play when a Brock Voigt layup made the score 70-63. The Knights answered but a Hall three-pointer brought the game within five points with just four minutes to play. The Orange & Black closed the game on a 10-3 run to secure a 82-70 victory.
Game Leaders
The Knights were led by Roquet in scoring tonight, who had a career high 24 points in the win. The senior forward shot 9/16 (56.2%) from the field and 4/6 (66.7%) from beyond the arc. 13 of his 24 points came in the secon half to help close out the win. The senior also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds in the contest.
Olson led the team in both assists and steals tonight with 10 and six respectively. The senior guard also added nine points from 44% shooting from the field. Olson added to his American Rivers Conference leading steals total with six more tonight to help lead the Knights' defense.
Molstead filled up the stat sheet tonight and was tied for a team-high seven rebounds for the Orange & Black. The Charles City, Iowa native also added eight points and nine assists on the offensive end to help keep the Knights in front.
The Knights shot over 50% as a team from the field and were 43.8% from three-point range while holding the Blugold offense to 43.1% from the field and 48.4% from three. Wartburg were outrebounded 37-32 in the contest but controlled the turnover battle by scoring 20 points off turnovers to UW-Eau Claire's eight points.
Next Time Out
The Knights have a quick turnaround and are back in action on Saturday, Dec. 11 when they continue A-R-C play against Simpson College on the road. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.
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