WAVERLY, Iowa – Wartburg men's basketball (12-2, 5-0 A-R-C) remained unbeaten in American Rivers Conference after an 81-65 victory over Nebraska Wesleyan University on Saturday, Jan. 8.
Game Summary
The Knights started the contest with made three-pointers from
Davis Roquet and
Jack Molstead to help jump out to an early 9-4 lead. The Prairie Wolves scored a bucket to bring the game within three, but the Orange & Black answered with another run to make the score 17-8 with over 12 minutes left in the first.
NWU brought the game within three (19-16) with 7:25 to play in the half after a 7-2 run. Wartburg went on to outscore NWU 30-8 to close the half to take a 49-24 lead into the break. The Knights defense forced 11 turnovers in the first half. The three-ball was an important factor in the run, as NWU shot 0-10 in the first half while Wartburg shot 6-17.
Drew Olson had 16 points to lead all scorers at the break.
Wartburg continued its dominance early in the second half, ballooning the lead out to 30 points at its highest. NWU started to hit shots and continued to fight throughout the second half, but Wartburg had an answer for every Prairie Wolves run. Nebraska Wesleyan outscored the Knights 41-32 in the second half, but it was not enough to keep the Prairie Wolves in the game.
It was a balanced attack for the Orange & Black today as Olson, Molstead,
Marshun Williams, and
Keagan John all scored in double figures. Wartburg's defense was able to hold Peter Lash, who entered the contest averaging 17.4 points per game, to just nine points. The Knights outshot NWU from the field 41.9% to 39.3% and 31% to 25% from beyond the arc. The Knights turned defense into offense today, forcing 18 total turnovers and turning those into 27 points the other way.
Game Leaders
Olson was doing a little bit of everything for the Knights tonight as he led the team in scoring, steals, and tied for most assists. The A-R-C leader in steals was at it again today as he tied his own school record with eight steals. Olson added 19 points from 66.7% shooting from the field and 60% from three. The Osage, Iowa native also grabbed five rebounds and was 4/5 from the free throw line.
Williams was a spark off the bench today as he recorded his first career double-double. The sophomore forward had 13 points and grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds for the Knights. Williams shot 50% from the field and was 4/5 from the free throw line.
Molstead and Olson both recorded a team-high four assists today. The junior guard also added 14 points and four rebounds to go along with the assists. The Charles City, Iowa native shot 45.4% from the field, 33.3% from three-point range, and was a perfect 100% from the free throw line in 23 minutes of play.
Next Time Out
The Knights will be back in action on Wednesday, Jan. 12 as they host Coe College at 7:30 p.m.
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