LINCOLN, Neb. - The University of Dubuque men's basketball team faced a tough test on the road Saturday afternoon when they faced the Nebraska Wesleyan University Prairiewolves who sat tied for second in the A-R-C standings prior to the contest with the Spartans. The Spartans, led by McCants and Simon would control the tempo from the jump as they pick up a big road win 75-61 over the Prairiewolves.

In the first meeting against the Prairiewolves, the Spartans took care of business at home with a 69-65 win back on December 10. Jaylin McCants led the way in that game with 21 points. 

This afternoon it was McCants yet again leading the Spartans as he finished with 20 points on 7-12 (58.3%) from the floor and 5-6 (83.3%) from the free throw line. Brock Simon had one of his best overall games as a Spartan finishing one assist shy of a triple-double with 14 points on a perfect 5-5 (100%) shooting, 12 rebounds, and nine assists. 

The Spartans would race right out of the gates with a quick 7-0 advantage as they played stifling defense in the first seven minutes of the first half not allowing a single point. The Spartans would get a lead as big as 19 points at 31-12 before NWU would hit two threes in the final minute to lead 31-18 at the break. Throughout the second half, both the Spartans and NWU would trade buckets. NWU would trim the Spartans lead to as low as nine points three separate occasions, but could not pull any closer as the Spartans were able to snag the road victory in conference play. 

The Spartans shot 26-51 (51%) from the floor collectively throughout 40 minutes. One big struggle as of late for the Spartans was at the free throw line, but today the Spartans made 14-18 (77.8%) from the line to help lead them to a win. 

"Great win for our team today in Lincoln. Really strong defensive effort especially in the first half. Brock and Jaylin both played well and we were able to make some free throws down the stretch" stated head coach Robbie Sieverding. 

The Spartans now move to 14-6 overall and 7-4 in A-R-C play. The Spartans currently sit tied for third in the A-R-C standings with NWU, but hold the tiebreaker with two wins over NWU. 

Up Next
The Spartans will continue their road trip with a trip to Northwest Iowa when they take on the Buena Vista University Beavers on Wednesday, February 1 with a 7:30 p.m. tip.