News Release

WAVERLY, IA — A 21-2 run from the 17:10 to 8:10 marks of the second half lifted Wartburg College to a 75-62 Iowa Conference quarterfinal round men’s basketball victory over Central in front of 700 fans at Knights Gymnasium in Waverly.

Head coach Dick Peth’s team, the second seed in the league tourney, moves into a semifinal against third-seeded Simpson at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, at Knights Gymnasium in Waverly. Top-seeded Buena Vista and fourth-seeded Coe battle in the other semifinal at Storm Lake. Both winners meet Saturday, Feb. 28, at a time and place to be determined in the championship round.

The Knights, moving within one game of four consecutive 20-wins-or-more seasons at 19-7, got the roll started with two free throws by sophomore center Nate Schmidt. Wartburg spread the points around in the run as Schmidt added a jump shot and two free throws, sophomore forward Joel Formanek tallied two baskets, first-year guard Ben Vogel and senior guard Adam Miller each canned three-pointers, sophomore guard Jason Steege knocked down two free throws, sophomore Rance Cartmill hit a charity toss and junior forward Alan Johnson canned a jumper.

Wartburg’s overall scoring was just as balanced. Steege led the way with 21 points, hitting six three-pointers in the process, while Schmidt garnered a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Formanek and Vogel tallied 10 points each.

Central, closing its season at 6-20, came back to within 10 with 1:08 left but couldn’t close the gap any further.