Andre Wagner made the first of two free throw attempts with 10 seconds remaining to give Buena Vista a 64-62 lead. He missed the second shot which gave the Knights a chance to either tie or take the lead. Reigning conference MVP Nate Schmidt launched a three-pointer as time ticked down, but it was off the mark as the Beavers (14-13) defeated the Knights (19-6) for the second time in nine days.
Buena Vista, which has now won a season-high six consecutive games, led by as many as 14 points with less than 17 minutes to go in the game. Trailing 55-42 with just over 13 minutes to play, Wartburg went on a 15-1 run over the next eight minutes to seize a 57-56 lead. BVU took the lead back for good with 1:14 to play when Nesha Francic drained a pair of free throws to put the Beavers in front 63-62.
Jeff Bissen was the only Beaver to crack double figures as he scored 17 points, 14 of which came in the first half. Buena Vista shot a blistering 13 of 25 (52%) from the field in the first half but managed just five field goals in the second half.
Schmidt led all players with 30 points and 14 rebounds. Jason Steege contributed nine points, nine rebounds, and four assists. The Knights held a 43-33 rebounding edge, but were plagued by poor perimeter shooting. Wartburg was just 3 of 21 from behind the arc.
Rahn Franklin was next in line behind Bissen with eight points as 10 different Beavers scored three or more points. Buena Vista led 43-37 at halftime in what was the final intercollegiate basketball game at Knights Gymnasium.
Buena Vista, which started the season 4-11, is now just one win away from qualifying for the NCAA National Tournament. In order to do that, the Beavers face a tough road trip to top-seeded Coe. Tip off at Eby Fieldhouse in Cedar Rapids is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday.
02/23/06 7 p.m. at Knights Gymnasium - Waverly, IA At Knights Gymnasium - Waverly, IA BUENA VISTA 64, WARTBURG COLLEGE 62 BUENA VISTA (14-13) BISSEN, Jeff 4-6 7-9 17; FRANKLIN, Rahn 4-7 0-1 8; JOEKEL, Mark 2-5 1-3 7; FRANCIC, Nesha 1-3 5-5 7; WAGNER, Andre 2-9 1-2 6; GRIMM, Nolan 1-3 2-2 5; FOGLEMAN, Brian 2-4 0-0 4; WITTRY, Matt 1-3 1-2 4; PERSON, Travis 1-4 0-2 3; SCHMIDT, Jesse 0-4 3-4 3; FRIEDRICHSEN, Adam 0-0 0-0 0; HOLTON, Eric 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 18-49 20-30 64. WARTBURG COLLEGE (19-6) SCHMIDT, Nate 13-25 4-5 30; STEEGE, Jason 4-10 0-0 9; CARTMILL, Rance 2-10 4-5 8; VOGEL, Ben 1-2 1-1 4; PETERSON, Cassidy 2-3 0-1 4; FORMANEK, Joel 1-2 1-2 4; GULLICKSON, Nick 1-3 0-0 2; MENKE, James 0-1 1-2 1; SCHMITT, Brad 0-0 0-0 0; TROST, Jon 0-0 0-0 0; STARK, Dan 0-1 0-0 0; MASON, Cashes 0-1 0-2 0; NELSON, Lee 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 24-59 11-18 62. Buena Vista................... 43 21 - 64 Wartburg College.............. 37 25 - 62 3-point goals-Buena Vista 8-22 (JOEKEL, Mark 2-5; BISSEN, Jeff 2-3; PERSON, Travis 1-2; WITTRY, Matt 1-3; GRIMM, Nolan 1-2; WAGNER, Andre 1-4; HOLTON, Eric 0-1; SCHMIDT, Jesse 0-1; FRANKLIN, Rahn 0-1), Wartburg College 3-21 (STEEGE, Jason 1-5; FORMANEK, Joel 1-2; VOGEL, Ben 1-2; GULLICKSON, Nick 0-1; MENKE, James 0-1; MASON, Cashes 0-1; NELSON, Lee 0-1; CARTMILL, Rance 0-5; SCHMIDT, Nate 0-3). Fouled out--Buena Vista-None, Wartburg College-None. Rebounds-Buena Vista 33 (SCHMIDT, Jesse 8), Wartburg College 43 (SCHMIDT, Nate 14). Assists-Buena Vista 10 (FRANKLIN, Rahn 3), Wartburg College 16 (CARTMILL, Rance 4; STEEGE, Jason 4). Total fouls-Buena Vista 25, Wartburg College 19. A-1500 2006 IIAC tournament semifinals.