DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque men's basketball team (10-5 overall, 5-1 in A-R-C) returned to Jon Davison Court inside the Stoltz Sports Center for the first time in 2022 and who better to face than the cross-town rival Loras College Duhawks (11-4, 3-3 in A-R-C). The Spartans and Duhawks would be in a back and forth battle all game until the Spartans would gain enough of a cushion in the final minutes to seal the victory 70-64. 

The rivalry was back in full swing on Wednesday night in front of a packed house for the first time in over two years and the game gave us everything and more. In the first half, the Duhawks got out to a quick 5-0 lead before the Spartans went on a 9-0 run of their own to take the 9-5 lead. Through out the first half, there would be four ties and four lead changes as both the Spartans and Duhawks battled the first 20 minutes. The Duhawks would hold the edge at the halftime break 30-28.

In the second half, the intensity vamped up and Spartan nation was rocking trying to help their Spartans come out with the win. The Spartans would out score the Duhawks 42-34 in the second half to edge the Duhawks by six. Jaylin McCants would score 20 of his 22 points in the second half and Peter Ragen added 22 points to lead the Spartans. Sam Kilburg was able to dish out double digit assists on the night with 10. The Spartans shot 27-52 (51.9%) from the field and knocked down 10 of their 14 free throws (71.4%). 

The Spartans host the Simpson College Storm (4-9 overall, 1-3 in A-R-C) this weekend on Saturday, January 15 with the women's game at 2:00 p.m. followed by the men's game which is scheduled to tip-off at 4:00 p.m.