DUBQUQUE, Iowa – The University of Dubuque women's basketball team led for almost 35 minutes on Saturday en route to a 65-52 win over Nebraska Wesleyan. After a slow start, the Spartans would use a 18-9 second quarter to grab the momentum and take the game over.  This was the second straight win for the Spartans boosting them to 3-4 overall and 2-1 in the American Rivers Conference.
 
Tabria Thomas and Vanessa Eniola each dropped a team-high 14 points for the Spartans, while junior Miah Smith was right behind with 12 of her own. Smith would also haul in 10 rebounds to complete a double-double. In all, nine different Spartans would score at least one field goal.
 
A slow start from both teams had the score tied at 4-4 midway through the first quarter when Vanessa Eniola would provide a huge spark off the bench. Eniola would drill back-to-back three-pointers to get the UD offense flowing and would score 13 first quarter points to give UD a 19-16 lead after one frame. After the Prairie Wolves evened the game at 20-20 early in the second quarter, the Spartans 13 straight points over a five-minute span to quickly jump up 13 points and ultimately lead to a 12-point lead at halftime.
 
After an even third quarter, Nebraska Wesleyan would slowly chip into the UD lead, getting the game within six points with just 3:53 remaining in the game. The Spartan answer came in an unlikely form. With the shot clock winding down on a UD possession, Miah Smith found herself wide open from outside the three-point line, where she fired and drained her first career three-pointer to get the UD lead back to nine at 61-52. That three would re-energize the Spartans as UD would hold Nebraska Wesleyan scoreless for the final 3:53 and UD would pull away for the 13-point victory.
 
The Spartans made a living off the offensive glass on Saturday afternoon, securing 15 offensive rebounds, leading to a 13-2 advantage in second chance points.
 
Up next, the Spartans will travel down the road for a rematch against Loras College at 5:30 p.m.