WAVERLY – Wartburg College narrowly missed turning around a 19-point first half deficit with a furious second half rally Dec. 1.

Visiting Cornell College (5-1 overall, 1-0 Iowa Conference) held on for a 72-71 win in the league opener for both teams. Coach Dick Peth's squad used a 16-4 run over the final 5:48 to keep the home fans on the edge of their seats.

The Orange and Black had two tries in the final three seconds to grab their first lead since the game's opening possession. A one-and-one free throw attempt fell just off and, after the ball went out off Cornell, a jumper at the horn went to the left, preserving Cornell's win.

Junior forward Cole Danielson of Marshalltown recorded his third 20-point-plus effort, scoring 24 points on nine-of-13 shooting and dishing out three assists. Fellow junior forward Kirk Sidey of Greenfield added a good night as well with 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Junior forward Jordan Sathoff of Packwood contributed his ninth straight double-figure scoring game with 13 points to go with seven rebounds.

Cornell was led by senior guard J. Ryan Lott's 23 points and five assists.

Wartburg continues IIAC play Saturday, Dec. 4, with a 4 p.m. tip-off at Central College's Kuyper Gymnasium in Pella.

NOTES – Peth's bunch finished well from the field hitting exactly 50 percent. It was due in large part to 56.3 shooting in the second half. … Wartburg held a 39-27 rebounding advantage and had only 12 turnovers. … The Knights continued their defensive success in the paint with three blocked shots.