DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque men's basketball team earned a scrappy win on Saturday as they toppled the Central College Dutch who leads the A-R-C standings through the first eight conference games. With the win, the Spartans now move into a tie for second with two other teams with a 5-3 A-R-C mark trailing the Dutch (6-2) by one game for the top spot in the league. 

The Spartans would make quick work of the Dutch jumping out to a 5-0 lead in the first 1:30 of the first half. The Dutch would have a 5-0 run of their own to even it all at 5-5. The Spartans would then score the next 12 points over the course of four minutes to jump out to a 17-5 lead. There is a reason the Dutch are leading the conference and they would make there runs throughout the game as they clawed their way back to trail by only three at 25-22. The Spartans showed great poise as they used another run of seven to get their lead back to nine points. The Spartans would finish off the first half leading by eight at 36-28. 

In the second half, the Dutch would make what seemed like in the moment as crucial baskets to keep them in the game, but on the offensive end for the Spartans they responded with baskets of their own. The Spartans lead never got below six points throughout the entire second half as the Spartans got within one game of the Dutch in the A-R-C standings with a 67-61 victory. 

After the game head coach Sieverding had this to say about his team's massive win: "Great team win tonight against a very strong Central team. Our guys executed our defensive plan and we made some timely buckets down the stretch."

Jaylin McCants again led the Spartans in scoring and was the only Spartan in double figures with 20 points (16 in first half), six rebounds, and four assists. Seven other Spartans fond their name in the scoring column. Josh Hammer had a sensational day on the glass as he was able to collect nine rebounds with the Dutch having two 6' 10" players in the paint. 

The Spartans shot 26-56 (46.4%) from the floor and 10-24 (41.7%) from beyond the arc. The Spartans did struggle from the free throw line at 5-14 (35.7%). Even with two big men for the Dutch, the Spartans won the points in the paint battle 32-24. 

Up Next
The Spartans (13-5 overall, 6-3 A-R-C) will host the Wartburg College Knights (7-10 overall, 4-4 A-R-C) who beat Loras College their last time out. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 25 inside Stoltz Sports Center.