PAM RODGERS STAFF WRITER
The women’s basketball team maintained its undefeated status topping the Coe Kohawks 66-62 Saturday and Central Dutch in a 72-71 nailbitter Wednesday.
In the Knights’ match-up against the Kohawks, the women trailed for the entire first half, going into the locker-room trailing by six points, 36-30.
“I was really proud of how we kept our composure when we got down 13-2 to start the game. Our ability to stay focused and respond to that challenge tells me a lot about the character of this team,” head coach Bob Amsberry said.
Coe maintained the lead in the second half, but Warburg kept chipping away at the lead, answering to any points scored and capitalizing on Coe’s mistakes.
With 10 minutes to go in the half, the Knights tied the score at 50 on a Katie Zittergruen free throw. From there, the momentum was in Wartburg’s favor and they took the lead on jumper by Kelsey Teubel. The Knights never looked back.
“We responded well with some defensive adjustments that allowed us to get back into and ultimately win the game,” Amsberry said.
Zittergruen was Wartburg’s top performer scoring 15 points with four steals. Close behind were Abbey Hempen and Sam Harrington both adding 11 points. Hollee Silvey and Sharese Van Sloten added 10 and nine points respectively.
Harrington brought down seven boards for the Knights.
“We really had great balance offensively and our team defense was outstanding,” Amsberry said.
“Individually, Katie Zittergruen played an outstanding game on both ends of the court. She was able to match up well with Coe’s post play and made some key plays during our second-half run.”
Earlier in the week, Wartburg took on the Dutch in a close battle to the finish.
The Knights took possession of the lead early but relinquished it quickly to Central. Five minutes into the half, the Dutch had a solid hold onto the lead. Wartburg went to the locker room at half trailing 35-29.
Wartburg’s defense held Central to only four points in the first five and half minutes.
Hempen was fouled at the arc while down by three. She cashed all three free throws to tie the game at 39. Wartburg took the lead back in the next few seconds with a Zittergruen lay-up.
The two teams exchanged the lead until Central took control once again with 10 minutes left in the game. Central extended the lead to seven the points before the Knights were able to counterattack.
Van Sloten’s steal with six minutes left set-up Harrington’s 3-pointer to tie the game at 59. The lead changed hands six more times before time ticked off the clock. Hempen’s 3-pointer with a 1:06 to go was the eventual game-winning shot as Central was unable to answer in the final seconds of the game.
“I was proud of how we hung together to pull out a hard fought win. It is so important to take care of the home court in this conference, as every team poses legitimate threats. The balance in the league
right now is incredible, making every game important,” Amsberry said.
Hempen led the Knights’ offensive attack with 19 points, including five 3-pointers. Harrington racked up 13 points with three 3-pointers and Zittergruen chipped in 10 points.
"Abbey Hempen and Samantha Harrington really hit some key shots down the stretch with a couple of late three-balls and our defensive stand on the last possession showed the heart of this team,” Amsberry said.
Van Sloten and Leah Riley both helped out with nine points and eight rebounds apiece. Also helping out on the boards was Leslie Wilson with seven.
The wins put the Knights at a perfect Iowa Conference record of 4-0 and 9-4 overall. The Knights’ next game is at home against rival Luther College Wednesday. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. in Levick Arena.
“The Luther rivalry is one that we really cherish. It is always exciting when the two schools go head-to-head and this is no different,” Amsberry said.
Photo by Luke Shanno