March 1, 2003
(Release courtesy of Paul Misner, SID, Buena Vista University)

STORM LAKE, IOWA . . . The Buena Vista University Beavers claimed back-to-back IIAC titles and IIAC Tournament titles with a 72-70 tonight in Storm Lake.

A valiant second-half comeback by the visiting Wartburg College Knights fell just short in the Iowa Conference tournament championship battle with Buena Vista Saturday, March 1, at Siebens Fieldhouse in Storm Lake.

The Beavers (25-3) used a fade-away jumper off the elbow from sophomore guard Eric Wiebers with one second left to gain the decision. The Knights (21-7) tried to in-bounds the ball the length of the floor with .8 seconds remaining but couldn't get a play off.

A gritty game from senior forward Jake Olsen of Osage took the visitors off to a strong start. Olsen hit his first six attempts to aid in a 15-6 lead less then five minutes in. BV rallied back and took a six-point lead later in the half, but the Knights answered the challenge and trailed just 40-38 at the break.

Buena Vista had a strong start to the second frame, opening with a 15-7 stretch for a 55-44 cushion. Wartburg answered the bell again, trimming the margin down until senior forward Mike Pipho and Olsen canned three-pointers down the stretch to tie the game at 65-65 and 70-70.

Wiebers led all scorers and hit a new season high with 34 points in the win. Wiebers went 6-8 from beyond the three point arc. Senior Chris Petersen added 11 points and 13 rebounds.

Buena Vista has won 18 games in a row and are currently 25-3 overall and finished 16-2 in the Iowa Conference.

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