Wartburg season opens on high note

More news about: Wartburg

WAVERLY – Wartburg College jumped out to a 19-8 lead as part of a 56-52 win over Carleton College of Northfield, Minn., Nov. 16.

The Knights, beginning a stretch of six consecutive games inside Levick Arena, used a 38-29 rebounding advantage and some cold three-point shooting from their Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference visitors to spark the victory. Carleton canned only six-of-27 long-range shots.

The home side continued to maintain a strong advantage at the break, leading 30-21. Carleton crept back in the second half, closing within two (48-46) with over four minutes left. From that point forward, junior forward Jordan Sathoff of Packwood hit four-of-six charity tosses and sophomore forward Jake Reinhardt of Waverly hit two from the line to keep the visiting Knights at bay.

Sathoff got his year off to a flying start with 21 points, eight rebounds and a steal. Freshman guard Jordan Hester of Countryside, Ill., also chipped in seven points and eight rebounds, and fellow freshman forward Eddie Diemer of Cedar Falls recorded seven points and three blocked shots.

Wartburg hosts a four-team field at the 2010 Buzz Levick-Pizza Ranch Tipoff Tournament Friday and Saturday, Nov. 19 and 20. The Knights open the weekend with an 8 p.m. tipoff against Marian University of Wisconsin.

Notes – Sathoff's 20-point-plus effort was the fourth of his career. … The five blocked shots marked the 13th consecutive game a Knights' team has had at least one dating back through 2009-10. .. Sophomore forward Drew Crawford of Marion was the long-range shooter for the Orange and Black in the opener, hitting two of three attempts. … Wartburg's won its last four home openers.