DUBUQUE, Iowa - Another chapter of the University of Dubuque Spartans and the Loras College Duhawks rivalry was written on Wednesday night inside the Stoltz Sports Center. The Spartans gave everything the #23 Duhawks could handle, but was defeated 58-56.

Graduate student, Tabria Thomas wasted no time breaking into the scorers column as she made a layup on the opening possession. Loras responded with a three to take their only lead of the first quarter. The Spartans closed out the first 10 minutes of play with a slim 15-14 advantage. Offensively, the Spartans shot the ball at an efficient clip of 46% (6-13) from the field led by Thomas with five points while Megan Teal and Karsen Kershner added four each.

Loras ramped up the defensive pressure limiting the Spartans to just three made field goals in the second quarter. Both teams continued to trade leads back and forth as there was a total of nine lead changes. All knotted up at 24-24, the Spartans were held scoreless the final 3:20 while Loras knocked down a three in the final minute as the Spartans were down 27-24 at the break.

The Duhawks opened up the third quarter with a six point lead, their largest of the night. The Spartans chipped away at the deficit as Kershner scored five straight points to bring the Spartans back within one (32-31). The Spartans and Duhawks found their rhythm offensively as both teams finished the third quarter with seven made field goals. Entering the fourth quarter the Spartans trailed 44-39.

After an Isabella Tierney three which cut the deficit to two (47-45), Teal took over. The guard from Delavan, Ill. scored seven straight points pacing the Spartan attack as the game was tied at 52-52 with four minutes left. Down the stretch Thomas sank two free throws with 54 seconds left to even the score at 54-54. After three made free throws by Loras, the Spartans had the ball down three with 13 seconds remaining. On the in bounds Morgan Hawkins drove to the rim and made a jumpshot bringing the Spartans back within one (57-56). Quickly the Spartans fouled where Loras split a pair of free throws with five seconds left. In the final seconds, Thomas rushed down the floor and got a good look from three but the game winning shot bounced off the rim as time expired.

Teal finished with a career high 26 points on 11-19 attempts while also grabbing four rebounds and two assists. Kershner added nine points, five boards, and three blocks. Hawkins cleaned up on the glass grabbing a team high 11 rebounds. The Spartans scored 32 points in the paint and and shot 39% from the floor. 

Up Next
The Spartans will return back to the Stoltz Sports Center on Saturday, January 20th as they host Simpson College. The game is scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m.