DECORAH, Iowa – The University of Dubuque men's basketball team faced their final game of the regular season against the Norse of Luther College. Earlier in the season, the Spartans defeated the Norse 70-60 inside the Stoltz Sports Center. The result was no different as the Spartans completed the season sweep over the Norse with a 65-53 victory.
 
The Spartans opened up the game with back-to-back three point field goals from Keegan Zimmerman and Josh Hammer which sparked a 12-2 run. The Norse chipped away at the deficit and cut the lead to four (15-11) with 10 minutes remaining. The Spartans answered back as Zimmerman caught fire from beyond the arc helping the Spartans take a commanding 14 point lead (27-13). During that stretch, Zimmerman hit four three pointers in a row. At the end of the half, the Spartans led by 11 over the Norse (32-21). The Spartans shot 40% from the field and a remarkable 47% from three-point range.
 
The Spartans carried momentum into the second half as they continued to build upon their lead from buckets by Brock Simon and Jaylin McCants. With 10 minutes remaining, the Spartans stretched out their largest lead of the game by 19 points (54-35) from Zimmerman's seventh three pointer of the night. Once again, the Norse chipped away at the lead by using a 12-3 run to cut the Spartan lead to single digits (57-48). Hunter Snyder was able to close the game out as he hit four free throws in the last minute to secure a 65-53 win for the Spartans.
 
Keegan Zimmerman led the charge for the Spartans with 24 points on the night, including 7-10 from beyond the arc. Jaylin McCants and Dylan Anderson were also in double figures with 11 points. The Spartans shot 38% (20-52) from the field and 36% (11-30) from the beyond the arc. The Spartans also made use of the free throw line as they 87% (14-16) from the charity stripe. Overall the Spartans wrapped up the regular season with a 19-6 record and finished 12-4 in conference play.
 
Up Next
The Spartans received the second seed in the American Rivers Conference Tournament and will have a first round bye. The Spartans will host the winner of Nebraska Wesleyan vs. Coe on Thursday inside the Stoltz Sports Center. The game is scheduled to tip-off at 7:00 p.m.
 
A-R-C Tournament Schedule
# 1 Central College receives first round bye
# 2 University of Dubuque receives first round bye
# 3 Nebraska Wesleyan University host # 6 Coe College
# 4 Loras College host # 5 Wartburg College