WAVERLY, Iowa— Holding the Beavers of Buena Vista to only seven third quarter points, the No. 13/15 Wartburg College Knights women's basketball posted a 79-50 win inside Levick Arena.
 
A pair of free throws by Jaedon Murphy were the first points for the Knights as Orange & Black opened on an 8-0 run. Macy Harris hit three of four buckets as the Knights took a 12-4 lead with just under three minutes in the first quarter. Extending the Knights lead to double-digits, Sara Faber put the Knights up by 13 on a pass from Murphy.
 
Britney Young made the second of the Knights five three-pointers to open the second quarter. Faber hit a pair of baskets, extending the lead to 17. The Beavers went on a 15-2 run in the quarter, trimming the lead to four. The Knights and Beavers held the other scoreless in the final minute of the first half as the Orange & Black took a four-point lead at the break.
 
For the second game in a row, the Knights opened the second half with nine straight points. The Knights held the Beavers to four points in the first six minutes of the third quarter. Harris hit four straight free throws and a layup to extend the knights lead to 16. The Knights continued the defensive pressure, holding the Beavers to three points in the final four minutes of the quarter.
 
Two of the three opening baskets of the fourth quarter came from behind the arc, courtesy of Murphy and Young. The Beavers and Knights traded basket-for-basket as a pair of free throws by Maggie Wilkins gave the Knights a 32-point lead with 4:14 to play. The Orange & Black were outscored 8-5 in the closing minutes of the contest.
 
With the win, the Knights improve to 14-2 and 7-1 overall in the conference. The Beavers fall to 4-9 overall and 2-5 in the A-R-C.  
 
Checking out the Numbers
 
The Knights missed only two shots from the free throw line, making 14-of-16 shots. The Knight shot 42 percent from the field (30-of-71), while being held to a season-low five three pointers.
 
The Knights bench added 35 points in the contest, while the Orange & Black grabbed 27 points off turnovers. The Knights added 42 rebounds and 17 steals in the home victory.
 
Faber led the Knights in scoring with 18 points on 9-of-13 shooting for a career-best. Murphy went 6-of-7 from the field and 2-of-3 from the free throw line for 16 points. Harris, who went 5-of-5 from the free throw line, added 15 points (5-of-10 FG).
 
Knights in the Poll
 
In the D3hoops.com rankings, the Knights stayed at No. 13 following impressive outings by the Knights.
 
The Knights rose two spots in the Women's Basketball Coaches Associations (WBCA) poll, landing at No. 15.
 
Next Time Out
 
Continuing action inside Levick Arena on January 26 as the University of Dubuque visits. The Knights and Spartans tip-off at 5:30 p.m.
 
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