Wartburg Knights Prepare for Crucial A-R-C Showdown Against Dubuque
The Wartburg Knights women’s basketball team heads to Dubuque, Iowa, for a midweek American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) matchup against the University of Dubuque Spartans on January 7.
Tip-off is set for 5:30 PM CT at the Stoltz Sports Center. Wartburg holds a 7-6 overall record and sits at 3-1 in A-R-C play, aiming for their fourth straight win. The Spartans, meanwhile, are 4-8 overall and 2-1 in the conference, hoping to snap a three-game skid.
Both teams are hungry for a crucial conference victory, and honestly, this one could go either way.
Wartburg Knights: A Team on the Rise
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The Knights have found their groove lately, stringing together three wins and outscoring their opponents by a wide margin.
Their 75-42 win over Nebraska Wesleyan really put their dominance on display. Wartburg averages 63.6 points per game—good for fifth in the A-R-C—and allows just 56.6 points, which is second-best defensively in the league.
Key Players to Watch
Wartburg’s offense spreads the wealth, with four players hitting double figures on average:
- Katie Boulanger: Leads with 17.2 points per game.
- Corrie Harrison: Chips in 13.2 points per game.
- Lauren Golinghorst: Adds 12.4 points per game.
- Grace Hennessy: Puts up 11.2 points per game.
Hennessy tops the conference in blocks, racking up 27 so far and averaging 2.1 per game. Golinghorst and Boulanger also lead the A-R-C in three-point percentage, shooting an impressive 61.9% and 51.7% respectively. That’s just wild, honestly.
Team Strengths
The Knights shine in a few key areas:
- Blocked Shots: Best in the conference, averaging four per game.
- Three-Point Shooting: Leading the pack at 35% as a team.
- Offensive Rebounds: They grab 11.1 per game, topping the A-R-C.
- Assists: Third in the conference for assists per game.
Corrie Harrison’s been cleaning up on the boards, pulling down 9.4 rebounds on average over the last five games.
Lauren Donlea leads the team in assists, dishing out 3.1 per game. Not too shabby.
University of Dubuque Spartans: Seeking Redemption
The Spartans are looking to regroup after a tough run lately. Even with some struggles, they’ve shown flashes—like wins over Loras and Central in conference play.
Dubuque averages 56.3 points per game, but they’re giving up 67.1, which leaves them with the lowest scoring margin in the A-R-C.
Key Players to Watch
Christina Simonetti stands out for Dubuque, leading the team in both points and rebounds:
- Points: 10.3 per game.
- Rebounds: 9.1 per game, second-best in the conference.
Simonetti’s already tallied three double-doubles this season, including one in her last outing. Averie Green keeps things moving with 3.6 assists per game, which puts her fifth in the A-R-C. She also holds a 1.5 assist-to-turnover ratio, tied for second in the conference.
Team Challenges
Dubuque faces some uphill battles:
- Field Goal Percentage: Ninth in the A-R-C at 35.6%.
- Three-Point Percentage: Also ninth, hitting just 28%.
- Rebounding Margin: Eighth in the league with a -3.7 margin.
- Turnover Margin: Last in the conference at -4.17.
Felicity Figlinski has been a bright spot defensively, averaging 1.9 steals per game, which ties her for eighth in the A-R-C.
Historical Context and Rivalry
These two programs go way back. Wartburg leads the all-time series 69-24 over Dubuque.
The Knights have taken the last seven meetings, and Dubuque’s last win came during the 2021-22 season at home. Three of the last eight matchups have even gone to overtime, so you never really know what’ll happen when these teams play.
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Wartburg’s been especially tough to beat on the road in this rivalry, posting a 34-11 away record against Dubuque.
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The Knights have also won nine of the last ten games between these schools. That’s a strong statement.
Conference Standings and Implications
The A-R-C standings only add to the stakes. Wartburg sits in second place at 3-1, while Dubuque is part of a three-way tie for third at 2-1.
A win for Wartburg keeps them right near the top. Dubuque, with a victory, could shake things up and move up in the conference race.
Current Standings
- Coe: 4-0 in A-R-C, 10-3 overall.
- Wartburg: 3-1 in A-R-C, 7-6 overall.
- Central: 2-1 in A-R-C, 7-5 overall.
- Luther: 2-1 in A-R-C, 6-6 overall.
- Simpson: 2-1 in A-R-C, 6-6 overall.
- University of Dubuque: 2-1 in A-R-C, 4-8 overall.
- Buena Vista: 1-3 in A-R-C, 7-6 overall.
- Loras: 0-4 in A-R-C, 4-9 overall.
- Nebraska Wesleyan: 0-4 in A-R-C, 3-10 overall.
So yeah, this one’s got some real weight for both squads. If you’re a fan of A-R-C women’s hoops, it’s probably worth tuning in for.
Conclusion
The Wartburg Knights and University of Dubuque Spartans are gearing up for a big matchup. Both teams have a lot riding on this game.
The Knights want to keep their winning streak alive and stay strong in the conference. Meanwhile, the Spartans are hoping to shake off some recent struggles and move up in the standings.
There are key players on both sides, and these teams have a history of close games. Honestly, it’s hard not to get excited about what could happen this time around.
For more details and live updates, check out the official Wartburg Knights website.