WAVERLY, Iowa— Recording a career night, Macy Harris and the No. 14/20 Wartburg women's basketball squad defeated the Nebraska Wesleyan University Prairie Wolves, 82-61 in an American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) game.
 
Harris recorded a career-high night, scoring 17 points (6-of-9 FG) to lead the Knights in scoring. Sara Faber, Hannah Anderson, and Jaedon Murphy all landed in double figures, marking the seventh consecutive with at least two players in double figures.
 
Defensive pressure by the Prairie Wolves held the Knights to a single basket by Macy Harris in the opening minutes of the game. Hannah Anderson and Sara Faber added late buckets as the Knights closed the Prairie Wolves lead to three with 1:10 remaining. Jaedon Murphy hit the only three-pointer of the first quarter for the Knights as both teams struggled from behind the arc.
 
Faber recorded an early second quarter steal, scoring off the Prairie Wolves turnover. Back-to-back trips to the free throw line saw the Knights go 4-for-4 and take the lead. The Knights and Prairie Wolves battled in the paint, trading the lead several times. Taylor Runchey hit a layup as the Knights started a 11-0 run. Britney Young made three straight three-pointers as the Knights capitalized on their second quarter push.  
 
Harris scored the opening basket of the third quarter for the Knights, extending the Knights lead to 10 at 40-30. Three consecutive three-pointers by the Prairie Wolves trimmed the Knights lead to four over a minute. The Prairie Wolves' Roberts hit back-to-back layups before Anderson put the Knights back up by one with a three-pointer of her own. Four consecutive points from Harris closed out scoring for the Knights, reclaiming the lead.
 
An opening pair of three-pointers, courtesy of Faber, saw the Knights jump out to a 10-point advantage early in the fourth quarter. The Knights offense was clicking in the fourth quarter, as the Knights went on a 9-1 run. Multiple Knights joined the scoring action as the Knights finished the game with seven-straight points.
 
The Knights improve to 10-2, 4-1 A-R-C as the Prairie Wolves fall to 2-9, 0-3 A-R-C.
 
Checking out the Numbers
 
The free throw line would be a key element in the Knights game as the team made 10 trips to the line, shooting 70 percent (14-of-20). The Knights stayed out of foul trouble, allowing only four trips to the free throw line for Nebraska Wesleyan.
 
The Knights shot 44 percent from the field, including 12 three-pointers (35 percent behind the arc). Forcing 22 turnovers by the Prairie Wolves, the Knights scored 27 points. The Knights bench added 33 points in the victory.
 
Harris, who led the Knights in scoring, added a career-high seven assists to lead the Orange & Black in assists. Other Knights in double figures were Faber on 6-of-13 shooting (14 points). Hannah Anderson scored 11 points, with three shots from behind the arc. Jaedon Murphy would be held to 10 points (3-of-8 shooting) and led the Orange & Black rebounding efforts with six boards.
 
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 are slated to host Coe on January 12 inside Levick Arena. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m. in the midweek match.
 
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