The Knights (18-3 overall, 12-0 Iowa Conference), keeping their league lead by two games over No. 12-ranked Buena Vista, scored 11 of the first 15 points of the contest. Coe (10-11 overall, 6-6 IIAC) battled back in the final minutes of the first frame and led 32-29 at the break. The Kohawks opened their advantage to 41-34 with 12:02 left after a three-pointer by senior guard Nick Wilkins, part of a team-high 15 points for the home side.
Junior guard Jason Steege hit a three-pointer on Wartburg’s ensuing possession to ignite the eventual winning stretch. Junior center Nate Schmidt canned a hook shot in the lane to give the Knights a 42-41 lead with 9:24 left. The Orange and Black extended the margin to as much as 10 in the closing moments.
Schmidt led three individuals in double figures for the victors with 17 points. He added eight rebounds and two blocked shots to his total. Steege ended with 16 including an 11-of-13 effort from the free throw line. Senior guard Jordan Atchison ended with 14.
Free throws turned out to be the game decider. Wartburg hit 18 of 23 attempts, with Coe ending nine of 13 at the charity stripe.