DUBUQUE, Iowa - Finally back at the Stoltz Sports Center for the first time since before Thanksgiving, the #24 University of Dubuque men's basketball team started their main stretch of conference games in the month of January hosting the Wartburg College Knights on Wednesday night. Brock Simon had a career-high night with 24 points to lead the Spartans past the Knights 81-64.

Simon had arguably one of the best basketball games of his career for the Spartans shooting efficiently on 10-12 from the floor and 4-6 from three-point range. The Cascade, Iowa native also recorded five rebounds, four steals, and three assists in 27 minutes of action. Before tonight, Simon was only averaging 6.0 points per game and his highest point total was 11. 

Simon really stepped up tonight as leading scorer Jaylin McCants got in foul trouble with three personals in the first half after a tough call at the end of the half. McCants only played 19 minutes, but was able to score 10 on five made field goals. 

The freshman duo of Taydem Arguello and Grady Thompson continue to be fun to watch this season as Arguello rallied off four made three pointers while on his way to 14 points as well as adding three steals and an impressive three blocks in the game. Thompson added two blocks on the defensive end while making the opposition take tough contest shots with his length and athleticism. 

Sam Kilburg struggled shooting the ball tonight, but when Kilburg was not shooting the ball, he nearly dished out double-digit assists with nine. Garrett Baumhover had two clutch threes in the second half tonight on back-to-back possessions to extend the Spartans lead to 15. 

The Spartans started the game hot from the three-point line going 4-4, but were just 2-19 the rest of the first half. The second half the Spartans shot over 60% and made 53.3% of their attempts beyond the arc. The Spartans continue to be very effective in the second half of games both on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. 

Hear from Robbie Sieverding
"It was great to see Brock get going tonight. He played really well and we finally started clicking in the second half. We have had a handful of different people score the ball the past couple weeks and I think that is when we will be at our best. Sam has done a nice job running our team and Taydem also gave us spark tonight. Every night is a battle in our league and we need to turn our attention to BV now."

The Spartans move to 12-0 overall and 4-0 in conference play. The Spartans have now won 11 of their 12 games by double-digits. 

Up Next
The Spartans will host Buena Vista University on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. on Jon Davison Court looking to extend their undefeated streak to 13 straight games.