DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque men's basketball team picked up another key American Rivers Conference game on Wednesday night as they defeated the Coe College Kohawks 77-69 after trailing by five at the half. 

After trailing by five at the half and with their leading scorer, Jaylin McCants held scoreless through the first 20 minutes, the Spartans found a way to prevail through a tough 40 minute game. 

The Kohawks found themselves up 18-9 halfway through the first half after the Spartans scored the games opening four points.The Spartans fought all the way back to even the score at 29-29 with two minutes remaining in the opening half. The Kohawks would finish the first half on a 7-2 run to lead by five at the half. 

Trailing by seven with 15:27 left in the game, the duo of McCants and Jacob Williams combined for a 10-0 run to spring the Spartans out front at 53-50. The Kohawks would hit a three-pointer on the next possession and then call a timeout. After the Kohawk timeout, the Spartans went on a 16-3 run to get their biggest lead of the game at 69-56. 

The Kohawks did not quit as they used a 13-2 run to get back within two with about a minute and a half remaining. The Spartans finished 6-6 at the free throw line down the stretch to seal the game.  

Hear from Robbie Sieverding
"Tonight was a grind and our guys found a way in the second to execute better. It was challenging most of the night with playing through foul trouble and Coe really did a good job attacking. We need to finish the game better, but we made enough free throws and I thought Garrett's three was a really big shot at a big point in the game. Jaylin struggled the first half, but was able to get going in the second half. Big challenge on Saturday with Central who is playing well and hopefully we can get another good crowd in here."

McCants scored 18 second half points and grabbed nine rebounds. Williams finished with 14 points, while Grady Thompson and Sunday John had 11 and 10 respectively. Points off turnovers was a key factor for the Spartans as they converted 18 Kohawk turnovers into 28 points. 

The Spartans move to 11-4 overall and 5-1 in conference play. The Spartans currently sit atop the conference standings tied with the Loras College Duhawks. 

Up Next
The Spartans will be back at home on Saturday when they play the Central College Dutch at 4:00 p.m.