BY PAM RODGERS STAFF WRITER
The Wartburg women’s basketball team brought home its first IIAC win last Wednesday defeating the Dubuque Spartans on the road 69-55.
“We really struggled on the road last year, and we know in order to contend in the IIAC we must be able to play well on the road. Getting off to a good start on Wednesday was important,” head coach Bob Amsberry said.
The Knights got to an early 5-0 lead in the first minutes of the game when Samantha Harrington hit a 3-pointer and jump shot. The Spartans answered back with a 3-pointer from Krystal Parr to bring the game within two.
That was the closest Dubuque was for the rest of the game. Wartburg never relinquished its control on the scoreboard. At half, the Knights held a 39-16 lead.
“We did a good job setting the tone in the first half with a great defensive effort. We forced them into tough shots, and we played well together on the offensive end,” Amsberry said.
The second half was no different for Wartburg as they kept the Spartans down at least 14 points in the second half for the victory.
Harrington led the Knights in scoring as she racked up 21 points and nine rebounds. Sharese Van Sloten turned in a double-double scoring 16 points and bringing down 14 boards.
“We did a nice job establishing our inside play by getting Sharese several inside touches in the first half and Samantha had another solid performance from the perimeter. Getting that inside outside balance is really important for us,” Amsberry said.
Teammate Abbey Hempen chipped in 13 points and Leslie Wilson added eight.
Leah Riley helped out defensively with six rebounds and held Dubuque’s season-leading scorer Jennifer Nichols to only two 3-pointers.
“Leah played a significant role, forcing their best scorer into tough shots and holding her to six points,” Amsberry said.
The win puts the Knights at 1-0 in the IIAC and 3-3 overall.
The women have two weeks before their next game. Wartburg will travel to Davenport to play St. Ambrose University on Thursday Dec. 18.
“We will take the next couple of days for some much needed rest and really focus on final exams,” Amsberry said. “Our next several games will be challenging as we finish out December, starting with a very talented and explosive St. Ambrose team.”