CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – A snowstorm was not going to get in the way of a highly anticipated clash between the 18^th ranked University of Dubuque Spartans and the (RV) Coe College Kohawks on Wednesday night. With a battle of sole possession on the line for the American Rivers Conference, the matchup was as advertised. In a close competitive game, the Spartans lost 63-59. 
 
Senior guard, Sam Kilburg opened up the scoring with a three in the first possession of the game. The Spartans jumped out to a 15-8 lead after the first seven minutes of the half. Kilburg wasted no time reaching double figures as he scored 11 of the Spartans 15 points. With 9:52 remaining Jaylin McCants went up for a dunk and took a scary fall landing on his ankle. Following the injury, Coe proceeded to go on a 10-0 run as the Spartans trailed 26-18 with 3:42 left. After back-to-back threes from Kilburg and Grady Thompson, the Spartans responded with an 8-0 run to tie the game at 26-26. A late three by Coe gave them the slim three-point advantage 29-26 entering the break.

After the first five minutes of the second half, the Spartans found themselves down by their largest deficit of the night 41-31. The Spartans chipped away and got within two points (45-43) as Cade Guinn, Dylan Anderson, and Taydem Arguello made layups. Coe once again etched out their lead to eight points but Kilburg's fifth three of the game from way downtown brought the Spartans back within striking distance forcing the Kohawks into a timeout. With 3:15 remaining the Spartans got within one point of the Kohawks as they trailed 55-54. However, the Spartans could not get over the hump and retake the lead as the Spartans lost 63-59. 

Hear from Robbie Sieverding 
"Proud of our fight and effort tonight but we couldn't get seen to get over the hump every time we got close. Sam was great tonight and I thought we attacked the glass better in second half. Unfortunately we didn't shoot the ball as well as we are capable of and give Coe credit for that. Have to get ready for another big challenge on the road at Central Saturday."

Kilburg paced the offensive attack for the Spartans as he scored a season high 24 points on 8-18 attempts. Thompson finished with 10 points while Anderson finished just shy of a double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds. The Spartans shot 34% from the floor while the Kohawks shot 45%. 

The Spartans are now 13-1 on the year and 5-1 in conference.

Up Next
The Spartans will continue their road stretch as they travel to Central College on Saturday. The game is scheduled to start at 4:00 p.m.