DECORAH, Iowa - Wartburg men's basketball defeated Luther College in convincing fashion on Monday, Feb. 22 when they took home a 69-47 victory inside the Regents Center Gymnasium. The Knights now possess a seven-game winning streak against the Norse and have come away with victories in nine of the past 10 contests against Luther. 

The Orange & Black (3-6, 1-4 A-R-C) will return home on Saturday, Feb. 27 for a matchup against Nebraska Wesleyan University (2-2, 1-2 A-R-C) inside Levick Arena with tip-off set for 2:00 p.m.

The Knights bull rushed Luther in the opening 10 minutes of the contest when they jumped out to a 21-6 lead. Wartburg was unconscious from beyond the arc in the first half when it drained nine of its 16 attempts and ended the period 56.3% from long range. The Knights' defense was on full display in the opening period when they held Luther to a season-low 15 points on 5-of-21 shooting and just 7.7% from 3-point land. Wartburg went into halftime with a commanding 29-point advantage. 

The Knights cooled off a bit in the second half but the victory was never in doubt. Both programs traded baskets for much of the period and Luther managed to get within 22 points but Wartburg stayed true to the game plan and cruised to the easy win. 

Wartburg was led by senior forward Ryan Stulken who tallied 15 points with all of his baskets coming from the 3-point land as he finished 62.5% from long range. Guards Keagan John and Broden Coulter also reached double figures in scoring with 11 and 12 points, respectively. Senior Max Smith Drahos recorded a game-high eight rebounds, which was also a career-best for the senior. Wartburg concluded the contest with a season-high 44.9% from beyond the arc.

Defensively, the Knights held the Norse to a season-low 47 points on 32.7% from the field, 26.7% from distance and 50% from the charity stripe.