Senior center Sharese Van Sloten goes up for a lay-up against a Loras defender Thursday night inside Levick Arena. Photo by Luke Shanno
MAC SLAVIN SPORTS EDITOR
Both Knights’ basketball teams will be advancing to the IIAC Tournament Championships after beating their second round foes Thursday night. The men advanced after upsetting Buena Vista, 85-81, while the women topped Loras, 61-54.
The No. 4 – seeded Knights battled with the top-seeded Beavers throughout the first half. The Knights broke away from the Beavers with 5:46 left in the first half after a Kelly McCarville jumper put the Knights up by six.
Buena Vista answered to keep the game close, as the teams went into the locker room for half time with the Knights up by two, 44-42.
The Beavers started the half with a three-pointer from Andre Wagner putting them up by one.
After a close battle throughout the second half, the Knights pulled ahead by seven with 45 seconds left in the game. A quick 5-0 run in the final 35 seconds pulled the Beavers within two, but the Knights put the game away after Ross Timmermans and Cashes Mason sank three free throws.
Head coach Dick Peth’s team was led by five players in double-digit scorers.
McCarville finished the night with a double double after bringing home 20 points and 11 boards. Timmermans brought in 13 points for the Knights, while teammates Jordan Sathoff and Mason finished with 11 each. Travis Kern brought in another 10 in the win.
Nine of Sathoff’s points and 12 of Timmerman’s points came from behind the arc.
The win puts the Knights in the IIAC Championship game against No. 2 – seeded Cornell. Cornell topped Loras Thursday night 65-60. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. in Mount Vernon.
The women will also be moving on to the championship game, after topping Loras, 61-54.
Loras started the game off with a 14-4 run, but an Abbey Hempen three-pointer cut the lead to seven. A Leslie Wilson layup and Gabi Miller three-pointer cut the lead to four.
The Knights played down the rest of the first half with the Duhawks leading by as many as 12 points with 1:26 left in the half. The Knights finished the half down 29-22.
Head coach Bob Amsberry’s squad came out of the locker room firing, going on an 11-1 run. After taking the lead with 11:59 to go the Knights didn’t look back.
Hollee Silvey finished the night with ten points, all of which came in the second half.
The Knights were led by a Sharese Van Sloten double double performance. She finished the night with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while teammate Katie Zittergruen lead Knights scorers with 12 points and eight rebounds.
Samantha Harrington finished the night with ten points to help the Knights advance.
The win sends the Knights to Indianola where they will take on top-seeded Simpson. Simpson topped Buena Vista 75-65 Thursday night.
