Wartburg Women's Basketball Rising Again
By Joshua Hamlyn
-Tip-off between Wartburg and Central on Wednesday, Feb.9th in Levick Arena. Photo courtesy of Joshua Hamlyn.
Published 02/21/22
Postseason Achieved
No.19 Wartburg women’s basketball is currently on a six-game winning streak. The Knights have qualified for the postseason American Rivers Conference Tournament as the #2 seed. The Knights are 20-4 overall and 13-3 in American Rivers Conference play.
The Knights have found their rhythm and have been playing at a high level all season long. The offense of the Knights is shooting 40% from the field and 34% from three-point distance this season. The defense has been able to really frustrate opponent offenses via gathering 10 steals per game and forcing 13 turnovers per game.
Last Time on the Court
The Knights are coming off a thrilling 95-86 double-overtime win over Loras on senior day. In the game, the Knights shot 40% from the field and 36% from three-point range.
The Knights were able to fight back from behind in the contest by producing a 29-point fourth quarter and knocking down 15 three-pointers in the game. The Knights gathered 7 steals and forced 13 Duhawk turnovers.
The Knights were led in the stat sheet by sophomore guard Sara Faber with a career-high 26 points, freshman Maggie Wilkins with 22 points, and had five total players score in double digits in the contest. Senior Brea Dillavou had a great senior day with 13 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 blocks.
Coaches Corner
Head Women’s Basketball Coach Bob Amsberry is in his 16th season with the Knights. The Knights have a young team that has continued to grow on and off the court throughout the season.
“It’s more about what we can learn along the way and continue to get better day by day and I think if we do that the wins will come,” said Amsberry.
The growth and wins have followed as the Knights have progressed through the season. As the Knights are currently second place in the American Rivers Conference standings with a record of 13-3. And have been ranked in the D3hoops.com poll every week this season and are currently ranked no.19.
-Junior guard Macy Harris drives to the lane for two in-game against Central on Feb.9th. Video courtesy of Joshua Hamlyn.
Key Players
Senior leadership and team culture have been key factors in the Knights' success and growth this season. Forward Brea Dillavou and guard Hannah Anderson have been major contributors to what the Knights have been able to do as a team.
“Led certainly by Brea Dillavou and Hannah Anderson as two seniors that are in our lineup. Those two have done a really good job of setting the standard and expectation of how we do it here at Wartburg,” said Amsberry.
Another leader on the squad this season has been junior guard Macy Harris. Harris is one of Knight's active ball handlers with a great vision for ways to score on the offensive end. Harris is second on the team in assists this season with 64 total and is tied for first on the team in steals at 39 with Sarah Faber.
“Macy Harris is our only junior, she has big moments for us, and some of the things she can do with the ball in her hands and tempo-wise she certainly has played a big role. The rest of them are freshman and sophomores that are in the rotation,” said Amsberry.
The Knights Difference
Sophomore forward Jaedon Murphy currently leads the Knights this season in scoring with 15 points per game, six rebounds per game, and 30 blocks this season. Murphy has provided the Knights with another strong presence in the paint and behind the arc on both ends of the floor. Murphy shared the Knight's style of offense that has propelled them this season.
“We’ve just really focused on our transition play trying to speed up the game a bit. Then also in other games where the other team might have the same style we have learned and focused on having to slow the game down to play our game,” said Murphy. Being able to shoot outside the arc as well as get in and drive with a lot of our guards being good drivers has been key this year.”
Sophomore guard Sara Faber has been an energetic playmaker for the Knights coming off the bench. Faber this season is second on the team in scoring with 10 points per game, four rebounds per game, and leads the team alongside Macy Harris with 43 steals apiece this season. Faber broke down what the team culture is like for the Knights.
“I think it is a great environment that you would want to be around. Around girls that want you to get better as a basketball player and as a person. I think they really care about that, and the coaching staff really cares about that too. To see you improve your skills and who you are,” said Faber.
Final Countdown
The Knight’s next matchup is at home this Thursday at 7:00 pm against #3 seeded Loras College or #6 seeded Coe College in the second round of the American Rivers Conference postseason tournament in Levick Arena. Follow this year’s tournament on rollrivers.com. Stay up to date on Wartburg Women’s Basketball on go-knights.net and Wartburg Basketball Insider.