All five starters reached double figures as Buena Vista won its 12th straight game. Jordan Campbell registered a game-high 19 points and 10 rebounds. Eric Wiebers scored 15 while Michael Cameron added 14 points and four assists. Brandon Kies contributed 12. Randy Bissen recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
With the score tied 14-14, Buena Vista went on a 8-0 spurt that was keyed by a Wiebers three point shot. Trailing 22-14, Wartburg proceeded to go on a 15-6 run to seize a slim 29-28 halftime advantage. The Beavers turned the ball over 17 times alone in the first half. There were 15 games this season in which Buena Vista had fewer than 17 turnovers in an entire game.
Buena Vista went on a 17-8 run out of the halftime locker room. Wartburg took a timeout, but was unable to get closer than five the rest of the way. The Beavers owned the boards, holding a 38-24 edge.
Wartburg was led by Jordan Atchison who had 16 points and four steals. Nate Schimdt added 13 points and Jason Steege had 10 points and eight assists.
Buena Vista, the second seed in the IIAC tournament, was making its sixth straight appearance in the conference title game. Wartburg, the top seed in the conference tournament, was appearing in the conference championship for the fifth consecutive season. The two teams had traded 11-point home victories during the regular season.
With the win, Buena Vista receives the conference’s automatic bid in the NCAA III national tournament. Wartburg could receive an at-large bid. The entire NCAA III men’s tournament field will be announced on Sunday evening.
Buena Vista University vs Wartburg College 02/26/05 7 p.m. at Knights Gymnasium - Waverly, IA At Knights Gymnasium - Waverly, IA BUENA VISTA UNIVERSITY 79, WARTBURG COLLEGE 68 BUENA VISTA UNIVERSITY (25-4) CAMPBELL, Jordan 6-9 2-2 19; WIEBERS, Eric 7-15 0-1 15; CAMERON, Michael 6-14 1-1 14; KIES, Brandon 3-4 6-9 12; BISSEN, Randy 3-8 4-6 10; WITTRY, Matt 1-2 5-6 7; SCHMIDT, Jesse 1-1 0-0 2; FRANKLIN, Rahn 0-0 0-0 0; JOEKEL, Mark 0-0 0-0 0; GRIMM, Nolan 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 27-53 18-25 79. WARTBURG COLLEGE (23-5) ATCHISON, Jordan 5-12 3-4 16; SCHMIDT, Nate 5-11 3-4 13; STEEGE, Jason 2-8 5-6 10; SANCHEZ, Adam 2-4 3-4 8; CARTMILL, Rance 2-6 2-4 7; FORMANEK, Joel 2-2 0-0 5; PETERSON, Cassidy 1-2 2-2 4; NELSON, Lee 1-2 0-0 3; JOHNSON, Alan 0-2 2-2 2; MENKE, James 0-1 0-0 0; GULLICKSON, Nick 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 20-50 20-26 68. Buena Vista University........ 28 51 - 79 Wartburg College.............. 29 39 - 68 3-point goals-Buena Vista University 7-14 (CAMPBELL, Jordan 5-6; CAMERON, Michael 1-3; WIEBERS, Eric 1-5), Wartburg College 8-27 (ATCHISON, Jordan 3-8; FORMANEK, Joel 1-1; CARTMILL, Rance 1-3; SANCHEZ, Adam 1-3; NELSON, Lee 1-2; STEEGE, Jason 1-5; JOHNSON, Alan 0-1; SCHMIDT, Nate 0-4). Fouled out--Buena Vista University-CAMPBELL, Jordan, Wartburg College-None. Rebounds-Buena Vista University 38 (CAMPBELL, Jordan 10; BISSEN, Randy 10), Wartburg College 24 (ATCHISON, Jordan 4; STEEGE, Jason 4). Assists-Buena Vista University 13 (CAMERON, Michael 5), Wartburg College 15 (STEEGE, Jason 8). Total fouls-Buena Vista University 23, Wartburg College 22. A-1650 Championship game of 2005 IIAC postseason tournament. Buena Vista wins the Iowa Conference tourmanent title for the 4th year in a row.