With three minutes left in the second half, the Knights held a 56-55 advantage. Margo Muhlbauer scored on a jumper and then converted on both free throw opportunities when she was fouled on the Beavers’ next possession to put the Beavers up 59-56. The final 30 seconds, the Buena Vista made 3-6 at the charity stripe and Tracy Hartwig intercepted a Wartburg pass as the final buzzer sounded.
Wartburg jumped out to an early 8-0 lead. Buena Vista tied the game up four times in the first half but could never gain an advantage to trail the Knights 30-28 going into halftime. Wartburg held a slim lead much of the second half until the final few minutes of regulation.
Hartwig led the Beavers with 20 points and a perfect 12-12 showing at the free throw line. Muhlbauer put up 19 points in the win. Jenn Schumann pulled down a team-high nine boards.
The Knights, who have now lost three games this season to the Beavers, were led by Elizabeth Campbell with 17 points. Sharese Van Sloten posted a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Buena Vista shot 31.4% from the field and Wartburg connected on 31.9% of its shots from the field. The Knights held a 39-33 rebounding edge but committed 26 turnovers compared to the Beavers’ 20. Both teams had a dismal night from long range with Buena Vista connecting on two of nine attempts and Wartburg hitting two of 10.
The win improves Buena Vista to 12-6 on the year and 5-4 in the Iowa Conference. Wartburg drops to 10-10 overall and 5-6 in the conference.
Buena Vista hosts Central College on January 31. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Siebens Fieldhouse.