DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque men's basketball team finished off the 2022 home stand with a dominant victory over the University of Northwestern (MN) Eagles 80-65 behind 19 points from Jaylin McCants. 

The Spartans were able to jump to the lead right away as Josh Hammer would bury a three-pointer and a lay-up to give the Spartans a 5-0 lead. The Spartans would lead by six halfway through the first half before the Spartans would use their biggest run of the game to stretch their lead to 29-15. The Eagles would then use their largest run shortly after to trail the Spartans 35-28 at the half. In the second half, the Spartans would shoot over 60% from the field as well as the three-point line to help maintain the lead throughout and close out the game against the Eagles 80-65. 

Keegan Zimmerman was highly effective shooting the ball as he finished with 16 points on 6-10 shooting and 4-5 from beyond the arc. Hammer finished with 13 points on 5-8 shooting with three made three-pointers. In 40 minutes, the Spartans shot 29-54 (53.7%) from the field and 9-20 (45.0%) from beyond the arc. The Spartans were able to make 13-19 (68.4%) from the charity stripe in the win. 

The Spartans were able to secure 19 points off 15 Eagles turnovers compared to only four points off 12 Spartans turnovers. The Spartans were able to out duel the Eagles in the paint 34-26. The Spartans were also able to push the ball down the court to outscore the opponent 13-3 in fast break points. 

Up Next
The Spartans will now take a 10 day hiatus as they enjoy the Christmas holiday before they head to Las Vegas, Nev. to play in the D3hoops.com Classic against Franklin and Marshall College on Wednesday, December 28 at 10:00 p.m. (CT) and Ramapo College on Thursday, December 29 at 10:00 p.m. (CT). Both games will be held at the South Point Arena.