DUBUQUE, Iowa – The University of Dubuque women's basketball team traveled down the road on Wednesday to face crosstown rival, Loras College. The Spartans made a run to take the lead in the third quarter, but were unable to closeout the Duhawks in the fourth as Loras won by a final score fo 71-57 in the first crosstown matchup of the season.

The Spartans trailed early in this one, but two three-pointers by Isabella Tierney deadlocked the score at 10-10. After an 11-2 run extended the Duhawks lead to 21-12, the Spartans would score the final four points of the first quarter, including a buzzer beater by Christina Simonetti to pull within five.

In the second quarter the Spartans were able to get to within six with just under four minutes remaining, but the Duhawks kept making shots from three-point range as they finished the half 7-16 from the perimeter. Trailing 39-26 the Spartans would call a timeout with 1:53 remaining before the half and it would result in a 7-0 run by the Spartans ending with a Mia Miller three-pointer as time expired. The Spartans trailed 39-33 at the half.

The Duhawks got the first basket of the third quarter, but the Spartans answered right back with an 13-0 to take their first lead of the game at 46-42. The Spartans held the Duhawks scoreless for over five minutes. As a game of runs, the Duhawks led after three quarters after answering with an 11-2 run to finish out the third quarter.

From the end of the third quarter into the fourth, the Spartans had a crucial stretch where they were held scoreless for nearly seven minutes of game time, while the Duhawks went on a 13-0 run. That would prove to be the biggest difference in the game as the Spartans were held to just nine fourth quarter points.

Tierney led the team tying a season-high with 15 points. Tierney made three of the six made three-pointers by the Spartans. Miller finished with 13 points on 54.5% shooting and dished out five assists. Madi Petersen was active on the glass, recording nine rebounds and picked up four steals.

The Spartans were outrebounded 38-29 and gave up 15 offensive rebounds. The Spartans contributed 10 points off the bench and scored 15 points off turnovers.

The Spartans fall to 7-10 overall and 4-4 in conference play.

Up Next
The Spartans will return home to face the Simpson College Storm on Saturday, January 25 at 2:00 p.m. inside the Stoltz Sports Center.