DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque men's basketball team picked up their first home win of the 2024-2025 season on Tuesday night after the Spartans offense finally got a big spark in a 87-77 victory over the Benedictine University Eagles. 

The Spartans quickly ran out to a 14-4 lead and held the Eagles to just 12 points in the opening 10 minutes of the game. The Spartans led by as many as 11 in the first half, but the Eagles chipped away towards the end of the half and even got the Spartans lead to just a point before Jaylin McCants finished off a three point play to give the Spartans a 41-37 lead at the break. 

The Spartans held a single digit lead for much of the second half and the Eagles even had the Spartans lead back to one yet again at 69-68 with 6:19 to go in the game. The Spartans would then go on a 16-4 run over the next five minutes to put the game out of reach. 

Hear from Robbie Sieverding
"Jaylin really got us going tonight and played well on both ends of the floor. We also got a great lift off the bench from Jacob Williams tonight. We still have much to improve on, but it was good to come away with a victory. Couple big games ahead in Wheaton this weekend."

McCants had another stellar night scoring 32 points on 12-14 from the field with six assists and 12 rebounds. His only two misses came from beyond the arc. McCants has been close to recording a double-double in every game this season, but tonight he finally got his first one of the year. 

First-year player Jacob Williams notched his career-high with 23 points on 7-11 shooting, 7-8 from the free throw line, and nearly had double digit rebounds with nine. Grady Thompson also had a career night with 17 points for the Spartans. 

As a team, the Spartans shot 55.4% from the field and even shot 66.67% in the second half, missing just eight shots. 

The Spartans are now 2-2 on the season.

Up Next
The Spartans will play at the Lee Pfund Classic in Wheaton, Illinois this upcoming weekend. They will first play the University of Olivet on Friday, November 22 at 5:00 p.m. from King Arena. 

Based on the first game result, the Spartans will face either Wheaton College or Rockford University on Saturday.