NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Men's basketball opened the 2025-26 season with a 76-69 win over St. Olaf College on Saturday, Nov. 8. The Knights had four double-digit scorers today, led by a 19-point and 15-rebound double double performance by
Ethan Yungtum.
Game Summary
- First Half
- Each team traded baskets to begin the game as Austin Bienemann scored the first basket of the game before Gabe Trujillo scored the next five points to put Wartburg in front 7-5 after three minutes of play
- Ethan Yungtum connected on a three pointer and then Luke Ladwig got to the basket for a score, but the Oles tied the game at 12-12 with 15 minutes left in the first half
- Wartburg went on an 8-0 run over the next four minutes to take a 20-12 lead after scores from Bienemann, Cael Schramm and Yungtum
- St. Olaf fought back with a 11-4 run to cut Wartburg's lead to 24-23 with just under eight minutes left in the half
- Minutes later, St. Olaf took a 29-28 lead after a three-point play
- Trailing by four with just over three minutes left in the first half, Wartburg tied the game back up at 35-35 after free throws from Lyle Olsen and Yungtum followed by a jumper from Bienemann
- Trujillo scored five points in the final minute and 15 seconds of the half to put Wartburg in front 40-37 at halftime
- Second Half
- Bienemann scored four points and Schramm added a score early in the second half to keep Wartburg in front of the Oles 46-41 after two minutes
- St. Olaf cut the lead to one with 16:32 left in the half, but Schramm answered for the Knights with back-to-back scores to make the score 50-45 with just over 15 minutes to play
- Wartburg went on a 12-0 run behind scores from Jamison Poe, Schramm, Bienemann and Mason Matson
- Matson scored the final five points for Wartburg to make the score 62-49 with 9:14 left to play
- St. Olaf kept fighting and went on an 18-5 run to cut Wartburg lead to 67-65 with just under four minutes to play
- The Knights were able to close out the Oles at the free throw line in the final minutes with nine combined free throws from Bienemann, Yungtum and Olsen
- Wartburg held off St. Olaf for a 76-69 road victory
Top Performers
Notes/Streaks
- The Knights now lead the all-time series 13-5
- Wartburg has won 11 of the last 13 matchups
- Wartburg is now 2-0 in season openers under head coach Sam Leal
- 15 marks a career high in rebounds for Yungtum
- Third career double double for Yungtum
- First collegiate points for Matson and Poe today
Next Time Out
The Knights will host Macalester College on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. in their home opener.
