NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Senior
Sam Koelling became the 32nd Carleton College men's basketball player to surpass 1,000 career points in a 74-60 season-opening win over Wartburg College.
Koelling scored 20 points on 9-for-17 shooting to reach the 1,000-point milestone.
Josh Engelberg posted 16 points and three steals.
Andrew Weber received his first career start and excelled, scoring 12 points on 5-for-6 shooting (2-for-2 from 3-point range) while contributing five rebounds and two steals.
Patrick Smith was the final Knight in double figures, dropping in 10 points with six rebounds and four assists.
Omar Kaba blocked four shots to lead the defense.
Smith scored the first points of the season for Carleton (1-0) on a reverse during the opening possession. The game started slowly, with the score tied at 11-11 seven minutes in. The home team put together its first big run soon after, a 10-1 burst capped by a Koelling three with 9:40 to go. Wartburg (0-1) slowly reeled the game back within four points, with a pair of free throws just under the five-minute mark making the scoreline 25-21. The maize and blue extended their edge just before the break. Koelling crossed into quadruple digits with a layup at 2:52 in the first, and a Weber 3-pointer and two Engelberg free throws in the final 90 seconds of the half handed Carleton a 34-26 lead at the break.
After Wartburg wing Ethan Yungtum scored the first four points of the second half to take the score to 34-30, Carleton peeled off a 10-2 run that gave the hosts a 44-32 lead with 16:28 remaining in the game. Yungtum finished off an 8-1 response from Wartburg with a bucket that cut the deficit to 46-42 with 13:12 left on the clock. Soon after, Kaba responded with an emphatic dunk to spark a 14-2 roll over the next four minutes, giving Carleton a 60-44 advantage, its largest lead of the night. Wartburg would not get back within 10 points for the remainder of the contest, giving Carleton its first opening-night win since 2023.
Carleton shot 49.2 percent from the field and made 29.4 percent of its 3-pointers (5-for-17). The home defense held Wartburg to 29.5 percent shooting overall and a 12.1 percent mark from deep (4-for-33). Wartburg made 20-of-27 free throws (74.1 percent) while Carleton made 9-of-19 charity shots (47.4 percent). The maize and blue won the rebound battle 42-38, while the turnover ledger was even at 14 apiece.
Yungtum posted a big double-double with 20 points and 14 rebounds. Austin Bienemann led the game with 21 points.
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton returns to West Gym on Sunday, Nov. 8 for a 2:00 p.m. tip against the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
Carleton Men's Basketball 1,000-Point Club
1. 2,029 - Zach Johnson (106 games) - 2005-09
2. 1,967 - Josh Wilhelm (97 games) - 1995-99
3. 1,903 - Gerrick Monroe (105 games) - 1989-93
4. 1,800 - Luke Harris (104 games) - 2021-25
5. 1,682 – Kent Hanson (99 games) -2016-20
6. 1,467 - Dan Forkrud (107 games) - 2002-06
7. 1,445 - Kyle Beste (105 games) - 2002-05
8. 1,440 - Ivan Grimm (43 games) - 1958-60
9. 1.438 - Jeremy Beckler (76 games) - 2019-23
10. 1,423 – Kevin Grow (103 game) – 2014-2018
11. 1,366 - Scott Krohn (105 games) - 1989-93
12. 1,356 - Mark Wandmacher (91 games) - 1981-84
13. 1,300 - Laurie Slocum - 1954-55
14. 1,268 - Tommy Drake (103 games) - 2004-08
15. 1,246 - Bryan Rosett (108 games) - 2006-10
16. 1,205 - Roy Hanson (64 games) - 1975-79
17. 1,196 - Tanner Schieck (92 games) - 2001-04
18. 1,162 - Jeremy Sutherland (103 games) - 2006-11
19. 1,155 - Tom Sawatzke (106 games) - 2009-2013
20. 1,136 - Jim Tolf (59 games) - 1979-82
21. 1,103 - Jim Lovrien (99 games) - 1995-98
22. 1,102 - Jake Phillips (107 games) - 2003-07
23. 1,100 - Scott Theisen (104 games) - 2009-2012
24. 1,095 - Dave Current (62 games) - 1960-63
25. 1,088 - Leon Smith (56 games) - 1971-74
26. 1,070 - Scott Christensen (91 games) - 1999-03
27. 1,068 - Howard Rosenblum (87 G) - 1951-55
28. 1,050 - Seth Jonker (108 games) - 2006-10
29. 1,045 – Mike Armacost (65 games) – 1955-58
30. 1,023 – Tom Klimisch (99 G) – 1991-95
31. 1,013 – August Schlaffer (84 G) – 1946-50
32. 1,009 – Sam Koelling (80 games) – 2023-present
