DUBUQUE, Iowa - (1/4/23) The University of Dubuque men's basketball team began the new year with a conference matchup against the Coe College Kohawks. The Spartans coming into the game were 3-1 in A-R-C play while the Kohawks were 1-3. However records did not matter as Coe led at the half 48-36 and maintained control of the lead for the remainder of the game as the Spartans were defeated 88-67.

To open up the game, the Spartans jumped out to an early 8-2 lead with layups coming from Jaylin McCants and Keegan Zimmerman, which forced Coe to call a timeout three minutes into the game. The Kohawks bounced back to capture their first lead of the game at 14-11. A few minutes later, Coe extended their lead to 28-19 with nine minutes left in the half. The Kohawks shot 6-12 (50%) from beyond the arc which ignited their 12 point lead as the Spartans entered halftime trailing 48-36.

Within the first two minutes of the second half, the Spartans sparked a burst of moment. Josh Hammer opened up the scoring in the second half with the old-fashioned three point play, as he made a layup and connected on the free throw. Then off a steal from Hammer, McCants threw down a break away dunk to cut the deficit to seven (48-41). However, the Kohawks would have an answer as they proceeded to go on a 10-0 run and extended the lead to 17 at 62-45. As the remaining minutes ticked off the clock, the Spartans could not overcome this deficit as they fell 88-67. 

The Spartans had two players in double-digit figures. McCants lead all scorers with 25 points and Zimmerman chipped in 14. On the night, the Spartans shot 27-57 (47%) from the field and struggled from three-point land going 5-19 (26%). Meanwhile, the Kohawks shot an outstanding 62% from the field and 47% from beyond the arc. 

Up Next
The Spartans will have the weekend off as they prepare for their next opponent against crosstown rival Loras College Duhawks. The game is scheduled for Wednesday, January 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Loras.