WAVERLY, Iowa – Wartburg men's basketball defeated Concordia University Wisconsin 77-65 in the 2022-23 home opener. The Knights advance to tomorrow's Buzz Levick Tournament Championship against No. 15 UW-La Crosse at 4 p.m.
 
Scoring Summary

• First Half
  • The Falcons jumped out to an early 5-0 lead one minute into the game, but the Knights responded with threes from Jack Molstead and Marshun Williams to take the lead
  • Five straight points from Keagan John gave Wartburg a 11-7 lead with 14 minutes left
  • The Knights stretched the lead to 10 after a Codey Hicks layup
  • Wartburg closed the half on a 19-9 run that gave the Orange & Black a 41-21 lead at halftime
  • The Knights shot 40.6% from the field, 42.9% from three and 81.8% from the free throw line in the first half

 

• Second Half
  • Concordia opened the half on an 8-0 run to force a timeout from Wartburg
  • The Falcons got within 10 points with 15:49 left to play
  • Wartburg got the lead back up to 15 after a transition dunk from Austin Bienemann
  • The Falcons kept fighting and a 7-0 run brought them within eight points with 13:30 to play
  • Over the next six minutes Donovon Smith scored six free throws and a layup to keep the Knights lead at 10
  • The final score was Wartburg 77, CUW 65

 
Top Performers

• John
  • 22 points
    • 7/13 FG
    • 4/9 3P
    • 4/4 FT
  • Nine rebounds
  • Three assists
  • Two steals
• Smith
  • 10 points
    • 1/4 FG
    • 8/11 FT
  • 10 rebounds
  • Three steals
  • Two blocks

 

• Hicks
  • 11 points
    • 5/8 FG
    • 1/3 FT
  • Seven rebounds
  • Two assists

 
Streaks/Notes

• Knights are now 1-0 at home
• Wartburg moves to 2-0 against Concordia (Wis.) all-time
• First career double double for Smith
• All five Knights starters finished with double digit scoring
  • John 22, Molstead 13, Hicks 11, Smith 10 and Williams 10

 
Next Time Out
The Knights advance to tomorrow's Buzz Levick Tournament Championship against No. 15 UW-La Crosse at 4 p.m.