WHEATON, Ill. - The University of Dubuque women's basketball team returned to the hardwood for the first time in 262 days on Friday night. The Spartans opened the 2023-2024 season at King Arena for the Wheaton Beth Baker Classic on a neutral court against the (RV) UW-Oshkosh Titans. The Titans were able to use a late run towards the end of the third quarter to win by a final of 52-70. 

The Spartans would have some first game rust as they struggled shooting the ball in the opening quarter at 8.33% from the field. Shooting aside the Spartans were able to stay within three at 11-14. The Spartans would then use an 8-1 run in the later stages of the second quarter that would give the Spartans their first lead of the game at 23-22. The Titans would then follow the Spartans run and recapture the lead 30-25 at the half. 

The Spartans had their best shooting quarter in the third quarter, but trailed by as many as 11 at 28-39 with 7:21 to go in the third quarter. The Spartans would get hot from the field as they used an 11-0 run in only two and a half minutes of game time to even the score at 39-39. Just when it felt like the Spartans had all the momentum on their side and clicking on all cylinders on offense, the Titans came back with their own 11-0 run to regain a 50-39 advantage. In her first collegiate game, Felicity Figlinski would hit a buzzer-beater from three-point range getting the Titans lead to single digits at 50-42 heading to the fourth quarter. The Spartans would get no closer than eight points down the stretch. 

Morgan Hawkins led all-scorers tonight with 13 points (3-10) including two made threes. Hawkins was oen rebound shy of a double-double with nine boards. The Spartans leading scorer last season, Tabria Thomas had eight points as well as transfer, Megan Teal scoring eight in her debut in the blue and white. 

The Spartans dominated in second chance points with 14 and were able to rebound well on the defensive end to hold the Titans to no second chance points. The Spartans would be out gained in points off turnovers and bench points. 

Up Next
The Spartans will continue in the Wheaton Beth Baker Classic tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. when they face Bethany Lutheran College at King Arena