Box Score LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The University of Dubuque men's basketball team traveled west to take part in the 2022 D3hoops.com Classic at the South Point Arena. The Spartans would face the Franklin & Marshall Diplomats in the first of two games in the Classic late Wednesday night. A late second half rally by the Diplomats prevailed them over the Spartans 66-64. 

In the opening half, the Spartans would struggle at times as they would only shoot 38.5% from the field and would be held to 0-6 from the 3-point line. However, the Spartans were able to take advantage at the free-throw line going a perfect 15-15 to help maintain a slim 35-29 lead at the half. The Spartans were able to extend their lead through the first 10 minutes of the second half to 10 at 56-46 for their biggest lead of the game. The Diplomats were not done yet, as they would claw their way back to even the Spartans at 62-62. Top scorer for the Spartans, Jaylin McCants would foul out with 2:41 left. leaving the Spartans looking for answers from someone else. Sam Kilburg would make a lay-up to give the Spartans a 64-62 lead, but three free throws by the Diplomats would give them the 65-64 lead late. The Spartans would have one last chance to win the game, but Brock Simon couldn't make a lay-up off the inbounds play. The Diplomats would make one of the two free throws to make the score 66-64 before Josh Hammer had a good look from three, but could not connect as the Spartans fall to Franklin & Marshall. 

The Spartans would make 19-19 at the free throw line throughout the game, but they would go 1-5 down the stretch which hurt them in the end. Before fouling out, McCants ended with a team-high 13 points on 4-8 shooting. Keegan Zimmerman and Bryce Prohaska ended with 12 points each. Hammer was a big presence on the boards as he collected 11 rebounds. The Spartans finished 21-50 from the floor (42%) and only made 2-15 from beyond the arc. 

Up Next
The Spartans will play their second and final game at the D3hoops.com Classic against Ramapo College tomorrow, Thursday, December 29 at 8:00 p.m. (PT) / 6:00 p.m. (CT).