DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque men's basketball team had a happy Senior Day as the Spartans raced out to a 20 point halftime lead as they pick up their 10th conference victory of the season with a 75-58 win over the Simpson College Storm inside a loud Stoltz Sports Center. 

With the top of the American Rivers Conference standings logged jammed, the Spartans sitting in the two seed need every win they can get through these last three regular season conference games. The Storm on the other hand are fighting to grab the final spot in the conference tournament needing a win against the Spartans. 

After coming off their buzzer beating win over Coe College on Wednesday night, the Spartans would start strong through the first 6:31 of game time jumping out to a 21-7 lead including a 12-0 Spartans run forcing the Storm to call a timeout. The Spartans would build off their early momentum and take a commanding 20 point halftime lead over the Storm, 44-24. 

The biggest lead for the Spartans would come at the 18:31 mark of the second half at 49-26. The Spartans would maintain a significant lead throughout much of the second half, but a late Storm surge would cut the Spartans lead as low as 66-56 with two minutes remaining. The Spartans would make free throws down the stretch to secure the conference victory. 

Jaylin McCants led all scorers with 23 points in 34 minutes of action on 7-16 (43.8%) shooting from the floor. McCants was also a perfect 7-7 from the charity stripe. Brock Simon added another double-double tonight with 15 points and 10 rebounds in his 26 minutes of action. 

The Spartans shot 26-54 (48.1%) from the floor and 7-18 (38.9%) from the three point line. The Spartans made 16-26 (61.5%) from the free throw line. The Spartans were able to keep the Storm off the glass, outrebounding them by a 48-33 margin. The Spartans took the slight edge over the Storm with four more points in the paint. 

Coach Robbie Sieverding was very proud of the effort tonight to send the seniors off the right way. "It was great to send our seniors off with a win on senior night. They have left their mark on our program and very proud of their efforts over the past few years. Jaylin scored some big baskets for us and Brock came up big with a double double. Big final week ahead!"

The Spartans now sit at 17-6 overall and 10-4 in A-R-C play. After conference games concluded today the Spartans remain tied for second in the conference with Nebraska Wesleyan. The Spartans hold the head-to-head tiebreaker which would currently earn themselves the #2 seed in the A-R-C tournament in two weeks. 

Up Next
The Spartans will prepare for a rivalry showdown with the Loras College Duhawks on Wednesday, February 15 inside Stoltz Sports Center. The Spartans will be looking to revenge a 74-86 loss earlier this season at Loras. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.