DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque women's basketball team was shorthanded on Saturday night but were still able to grind their way to a 59-46 victory over Buena Vista. The Spartans get back in the win column after their four game win streak was put to an end on Wednesday and improve to 6-5 overall and 5-2 in conference action and control their own destiny for a first round home game in the American Rivers Conference Tournament.

UD was led by their defense on Saturday night, as Buena Vista's 46 points is the fewest points the Spartans have surrendered this season. The Spartan defense forced the Beavers into 24 turnovers with Tabria Thomas stealing five of those. UD would block six shots, led by Alli Bailey with three, on their way to holding the Beavers to just 26.3% (15-57) shooting from the field and 11.5% (3-26) from three. Meanwhile, the Spartan offense was led by usual suspect, Tabria Thomas, who had 18 points 5-9 shooting from the field and a perfect 8-8 at the free throw line. Morgan Meerstein would drop 10 points to help fill the scoring void for the Spartans, the second time she has reached double figures in the scoring column this season. 

Both teams got off to a slow start offensively, seeing a combined 17 first quarter points scored, however that favored the Spartans as they would lead 12-5 after the opening quarter. The Beavers offense would pick up some steam in the second quarter, 11 of the first 13 points of the quarter to vault ahead 16-14. However, after four straight points from Tabria Thomas, it would be the last time the Beavers would see the lead.

After the little second quarter scoring burst from Buena Vista, UD's defense would put the clamps down, allowing the Spartans to slowly inch their lead up to 13 with 7:08 remaining in the fourth quarter and the Spartans would not let the Beavers get closer than six points for the remainder of the contest. 

The Spartans have the week off before closing out the regular season on Saturday, Feb. 27 at #13 Simpson College.