DUBUQUE, Iowa - Since last Saturday, every game the University of Dubuque men's basketball team has played has had a postseason feel to them and have also been crucial games to win as the postseason nears. Today against cross-town rival Loras College was no different and unlike the first meeting between the two teams, the Spartans were able to defeat the Duhawks 74-66 on the road.
The first half began with a back and forth battle with the Spartans jumping out to a 7-0 lead to start the game Loras got back to within one and even led briefly, but the Spartans ended the half up 32-28. The scoring picked up for both teams in the second half with the Spartans building their lead back up to eight at 39-31 with 16:50 left in the game. Loras would only get to within 47-44 with 11:01 left as the Spartans were able to maintain a two-plus possession lead throughout the second half to defeat their cross-town rival.
The duo of
Sam Kilburg and
Jaylin McCants accounted for 53% of the Spartans points this afternoon with Kilburg scoring a game-high 23 points and McCants adding 16 points.
Brock Simon finished his 37 minutes on the court with eight points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
Dylan Anderson nearly had double-digit rebounds with nine.
Hear from Robbie Sieverding
"Our guys battled all night and our defense was really good. Sunday and Brock defensively were really good but our whole group played great on that end. Sam and Jaylin scored it well especially in the second half. That was a great college basketball game between two really good teams. Now we reset and a whole new season starts Tuesday."
With the win by the Spartans, it has put them in a very good spot winning six of the last seven games and getting to 20-5 to end the regular season and has likely set themselves up for an NCAA tournament berth. None the less the Spartans still have business out in front of them as they have their sights set on an American Rivers Conference Tournament Championship.
Up Next
The Spartans have earned the #4 seed and will host the #5 seed Central College on Tuesday, February 20 at 7:30 p.m. The Spartans split with Central this season and defeated them last week at the Stoltz Sports Center 96-64.
2024 AMERICAN RIVERS CONFERENCE MEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
Tuesday, February 20th
No. 6 Buena Vista at No. 3 Loras – 7:00 p.m.
No. 5 Central at No. 4 Dubuque – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 22nd
No. 6/3 at No. 2 Coe – 7:00 p.m.
No. 4/5 at No. 1 Nebraska Wesleyan – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 24th
Championship Game – 7:00 p.m.
