PELLA, Iowa— Three Knights landed in double figures as the No. 14/20 Wartburg Women's basketball squad overcame a first quarter deficit to defeat the Central College Dutch 58-35.
 
The Knights improve to 9-2 overall, 3-1 American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) as the Dutch fall to 2-7 overall, 0-3 A-R-C.
 
The Dutch jumped out to an 8-0 lead as the first point for the Knights did not come until the 2:33 mark. After the opening free throw by Sara Faber, Macy Harris hit the first shot from behind the arc for the game. Harris would make a trip to the free throw line in the closing seconds of the first quarter as the Knights trailed 9-5.
 
Harris and Brea Dillavou added back-to-back baskets in the opening minutes of the second quarter as the Knights started to click offensively. Taylor Runchey forced a turnover by the Dutch as the Knights took the lead on a layup by Dillavou. The Knights held the Dutch scoreless for nearly seven minutes, taking a late eight-point lead on a layup by Jaedon Murphy. The Knights made three trips to the free throw line in the final minutes of the first half.
 
Faber opened the third quarter with back-to-back baskets, extending the Knights lead to 15 at 29-14. The Knights defense held strong, allowing only four points by the Dutch in the third quarter. Murphy and Dillavou caught passes from Harris to score back-to-back three-pointers in the final 32 seconds of the third quarter.
 
Natalie Bearbower extended the Knights lead to 31 on a three-pointers with 8:57 remaining in the fourth quarter. Maggie Wilkins gave the Knights their largest lead (35) on a made three-pointer as the Knights shot 35 percent in the fourth quarter.
 
Checking out the Numbers
 
The Knights were held to a season-low 58 points on 21-of-63 shooting from the field (33 percent). The Knights made seven three-pointers and went 9-of-14 (64 percent) from the free throw line.
 
The Knights recorded season-highs in steals (18) and blocks (6) in the contest. The Knights recorded 38 rebounds against the Dutch.
 
Harris added 10 points on 3-of-9 FG shooting, while going 3-of-4 from the free throw line. Harris led the Knights in rebounding, grabbing eight boards.
 
Faber (4-of-10 FG) added 10 points, while Dillavou was the final Knight in double figures on 4-of-9 shooting. Faber and Dillavou each added five rebounds for the Knights. Murphy added nine points on 4-of-9 shooting.
 
The Knights recorded 16 bench points and scored 37 points off turnovers.
 
Knights in the Poll
 
The Knights fell in the polls this week but remained inside the top-15. The Knights, who were ranked at No. 5 earlier this season, sit at No. 14 in the D3hoops.com poll. The Knights sit at No. 20 in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) poll.

Next Time Out
 
The Knights return to Levick Arena for a three-game homestand as Nebraska Wesleyan is slated to visit on January 8. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. inside Levick.
 
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