WAVERLY, Iowa— A hot offensive start by the No. 13/17 Wartburg Knights women's basketball squad overwhelmed the Coe Kohawks as the Knights posted an 80-53 win.
 
Jaedon Murphy collected five of the Knights first six points, opening with a three-pointer on an assist from Macy Harris. Sara Faber and Brea Dillavou joined in on the scoring action, as the Knights held the Kohawks to four. Faber, who went 4-for-4 from the free throw line, extended the Knights to a double-digit lead with 4:59 remaining in the quarter. The Knights kept the offensive pressure up in the first quarter, shooting 57 percent from the field. The Knights missed only one free throw in the first quarter, after making three trips to the line.
 
Within the first minute of the second quarter, the Knights extended the lead to 21 on a pair of free throws and a three-pointer. The Kohawks started clicking late, hitting a three-pointer with 2:01 remaining in the half. Zoey Long answered with a three-pointer to put the Knights ahead by 24. At the halftime break, nine of the eleven players to enter the game for the Knights had scored.
 
The Kohawks nearly matched the Knights bucket-for-bucket to start the third quarter until Harris hit a three-pointer with 7:32 remaining. Harris forced a turnover by the Kohawks, turning the steal into a basket for the Orange & Black. Harris ended the 15-3 run by the Knights with a fast break layup and a 31-point lead.
 
The Kohawks defense held the Knights to eight points in the opening minutes of the final quarter. Britney Young hit back-to-back three-pointers, on assists from Harris for the final points of the game. The Knights defense held the Kohawks to three points in the closing minutes of the second half.
 
The Knights improve to 11-2 overall and 5-1 in American Rivers Conference play. The Kohawks fall to 5-11 overall and 2-5 in American Rivers Conference play.
 
Checking out the Numbers
 
Harris led the Knights in scoring on 5-of-7 FG and 2-of-3 from behind the arc. Dillavou was 4-of-6 from the field and made 4-of-6 free throws. Murphy was the final Knight in double-digits, scoring 11 points of 4-of-7 shooting.
 
Murphy and Faber led the Knights rebounding efforts, collecting six boards respectively. Faber led the Knights in steals (3), while Taylor Runchey led the Knight in assists (5).
 
The Knights shot 44 percent from the field (27-of-62), while making 11 three-pointers. The Knights shot 75 percent from the free throw line, missing only five attempts.
 
The Knights collected 29 points off turnovers, forcing the Kohawks for 22 turnovers. The bench added 34 points for the Orange & Black, while creating 11 second chance points.
 
Knights in the Poll
 
In the D3hoops.com rankings, the Knights rose to No. 13 following impressive outings by the Knights.
 
The Knights rose three spots in the Women's Basketball Coaches Associations (WBCA) poll, landing at No. 17.
 
Next Time Out
 
The Knights finish a three-game home swing on January 15 as Buena Vista visits Waverly. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. inside Levick Arena.  
 
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