LINCOLN, Neb. – Wartburg men's basketball came back and defeated Nebraska Wesleyan University 84-69 behind a big second half run. The Knights move to 16-5 overall and 9-3 in American Rivers Conference play.
Game Summary
The Orange & Black got the game underway with a layup from
Davis Roquet and a three-pointer from
Jack Molstead to make the score 5-0 just one minute into the game. After five minutes of play the score was tied at 11 thanks to a Landon Torneten layup for the Prairie Wolves. NWU went on a 11-1 run to take a 22-12 lead with 9:06 to play.
Wartburg stayed around a 10-point deficit over the next 5 minutes, but an and one layup from
Drew Olson followed by a steal and layup from
Keagan John brought the Knights within six points with 3:29 to play. The Orange & Black tied the game at 37 after
Codey Hicks got his own rebound off a free throw miss, which led to an Olson three from a John assist. NWU responded with a six to two run to take a 43-39 lead into half.
The Prairie Wolves were on fire in the first half from beyond the arc as they outshot Wartburg 58.3% to 33.3%. The Knights shot a better percentage from the field though, with a 53.3% to 45.5% advantage.
Roquet got the scoring started again for the Knights with a three-pointer coming out of halftime to make the score 43-42 and Wartburg took the lead after an Olson three-ball put them in front 47-46. NWU responded with back-to-back threes of its own to retake the lead 52-47 with 16:08 left to play.
The Knights went on a huge 16-0 run over five minutes to break a 54-54 tie. After the run the Orange & black led 70-54 with 9:41 to play. Wartburg kept the second half run going and held on to a double digit lead the rest of the half with the largest lead being 21 points.
Wartburg's defense was able to hold the Prairie Wolves offense to 25% shooting from three and 28.6% from the field in the second half to help secure the win. Wartburg had a slight edge in rebounding and dominated points in the paint 38-24. The Orange & Black outscored NWU 45-26 in the second half after shooting 57.7% from the field and 45.5% from three.
Game Leaders
All five starters scored in double digits for the Knights against Nebraska Wesleyan.
Olson led the Knights offensively today with team-highs in points and assists. The Osage, Iowa native scored 22 points from 60% shooting from the field and 8/9 from the free throw line and added seven assists to lead the offense. The senior guard was active on defensive end with three steals, two blocks, and six rebounds.
Roquet led the Orange & Black in rebounding with three offensive and five defensive for eight total. The forward added 13 points from 50% shooting from the field and shot 2/3 from downtown. The Middleton, Wis. native added two assists, one block, and two steals to help secure the win.
John recorded a career-high five steals to go along with his 10 points offensively. The senior guard also added 4 rebounds and three assists for the Knights.
Next Time Out
Wartburg is in action next on Wednesday, Feb. 9 when Central College comes to Levick Arena for an A-R-C matchup set for 7:30 p.m.
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