WAVERLY, Iowa – Men's basketball was defeated at home 77-63 by Central College at home on Saturday, Jan. 25. The loss moves Wartburg to 10-8 overall and 3-6 in American Rivers Conference play, while Central moves to 11-7 overall and 6-3 n A-R-C play.
 
Game Summary

• First Half
  • Both Gabe Trujillo and Marshun Williams scored the first nine points for Wartburg to give the Knights a 9-2 lead after almost three minutes of play
  • Joshua Van Gorp scored back-to-back baskets in the paint followed by a Central three pointer to cut Wartburg's lead to 11-9 with 15:39 left in the half
  • Minutes later, Central's Karson Wehde made his second and third triples of the day to give the Dutch a 15-11 lead
    • A 7-0 run from Wartburg led by four points from Luke Ladwig and three from Trujillo put Wartburg back in front 18-15 with 10:22 left in the half
  • Cael Schramm made two free throws and a layup to help keep the Knights in front 26-22 with just under five minutes left in the first half
  • Central closed the half with four more made three pointers (4/4 3P) that gave the Dutch a 40-39 lead at half
    • Isaac Besh scored six of Wartburg's 13 points during the 18-13 run in the final five minutes of the half
• Second Half
  • After almost two minute of scoreless play to begin the half, Ladwig slashed through the Dutch defense for a bucket to put Wartburg back on top 41-40
  • Central retook the lead after a 7-0 run, but baskets from Williams and Austin Bienemann stopped the run and made the score 52-45 with 14 minutes left in the second half
  • Wartburg fought back with made three pointers from Besh and Trujillo, but Central still led 59-53 with under 10 minutes remaining
  • A Ladwig layup brought the deficit to four points, but Central responded with three baskets in the paint to push the lead back to 10 with 5:48 left to play
  • Ladwig and Bienemann each scored four points in the final minutes of play, but Central held off the Knights for a 77-63 win

 
Top Performers

• Luke Ladwig
  • 16 points
  • Six assists
  • Two rebounds
  • Two steals
• Austin Bienemann
  • 13 points
  • Four steals
  • Three rebounds
• Gabe Trujillo
  • 11 points
  • Three rebounds
  • One assist
  • One block
• Isaac Besh
  • 11 points
  • Two rebounds
  • One assist

 
Notes/Streaks

• Fifth-straight loss to Central
  • Wartburg leads the all-time series 71-56
• Central shot 56.6% FG, 47.8% 3P and 75% FT
  • Wartburg shot 41% FG, 26.9% 3P and 54.5% FT
• Bienemann recorded a career-high four steals
• Both Trujillo and Besh made three three pointers each to lead the Knights
  • Ties career high for Trujillo
• Williams led the team in rebounding with six

 
Next Time Out
The Knights will be back in action next on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at home against Luther College at 7:30 p.m.