BVU hits 17 three-pointers, beats Wartburg 86-71, moves into fifth in ARC

Buena Vista erupted from long range and rolled to an 86-71 home victory over Wartburg, sinking a season-high 17 three-pointers, including 13 in the first half. The shooting barrage put Storm Lake on notice and completed the season sweep of Wartburg College.

Junior Carter Sievers led the Beavers with a game-high 24 points while matching a career-best with five makes from beyond the arc and handing out a team-high five assists. Sophomore Adam Bryte added 20 points and drilled six triples, going 6-of-11 from long range. Sievers and Bryte combined to go 11-of-18 from three-point range. Junior Jayden Brink contributed 13 points with two assists and two steals, and junior Kyle Sternberg added eight rebounds and four steals.

Buena Vista’s control of the glass and second-chance opportunities helped sustain the offensive explosion. The Beavers held a 40-33 rebounding advantage and outscored Wartburg 16-7 in second-chance points. Wartburg countered through Austin Bienemann, who led all scorers with 23 points while adding five rebounds and four steals, and Ethan Yungtum, who recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

The game’s momentum swings were clear. Wartburg held an early 12-11 lead, but Buena Vista’s torrid first-half shooting established a substantial cushion. With under nine minutes remaining in the second half, Bryte’s three pushed the margin to 77-51. Wartburg mounted one of its biggest runs late, cutting the lead to 77-60 with just over six minutes to play after consecutive three-point buckets. The Beavers responded with a 7-0 run capped by Sievers’ final three to make it 84-60 with under four minutes left. Both teams emptied their benches down the stretch, and BVU closed out the 86-71 win on Wednesday night in Storm Lake.

The victory marked BVU’s second straight win following a four-game losing skid. Storm Lake Times reported the win pulled Buena Vista into fifth place in the American Rivers Conference; that standing detail is being attributed to the local paper and can be confirmed with official ARC standings.

Beyond the box score, the game matters to Storm Lake and Buena Vista County for reasons that extend past athletics. High-attendance home nights like this provide social cohesion and mental health benefits for residents, offer positive role models for youth in local leagues, and support nearby small businesses that see increased patronage on game nights. The Beavers’ long-range show also underscores the importance of sustained investment in student athletics and equitable access to recreational programs so young people across Buena Vista County can participate and compete.

BVU’s hot shooting gives the program momentum as conference play tightens. Residents can expect the Beavers to push in the final stretch of ARC play, and local supporters will be watching conference standings and upcoming matchups to see how far this late-season surge can carry Buena Vista University.