DUBUQUE, Iowa - An instant classic was on display from the Stoltz Sports Center on Saturday evening as the University of Dubuque men's basketball team pulled off a 90-86 double overtime thriller over the Loras College Duhawks to conclude the regular season. 

The Duhawks held the first advantage in the first half, holding an early 10-4 advantage. The Spartans would then run off seven straight points to take their first lead of the night at 11-10 with 11:12 left in the opening half. It was a constant back and forth battle throughout the half that had the Spartans up 31-28 with two minutes remaining, but the Duhawks scored the final four points to grab a one point lead at the half. 

In the second half the Duhawks started to slowly stretch their lead and had the Spartans in their biggest deficit of the night at 55-46 with 11:28 left in the game. Still trailing by eight (69-61) with just over three minutes remaining, the Spartans got scores on three consecutive possessions from a Jaylin McCants three-pointer, a layup by Jacob Williams, and then a thunderous dunk ensued from Sunday John in less than a minute that sent the Stolz Sports Center into a loud frenzy. 

The Spartans faithful would then get the defensive chants going and it paid off for the Spartans getting a crucial stop which proceeded with another Williams layup with 1:34 remaining. A flurry of empty possessions for both teams left the game at the free throw line for Jalen Scott with 11 seconds remaining. Scott would split the pair of free throws and then on their last breath, the Duhawks tied the game at 71-71 to send the game to overtime. 

In overtime, the Duhawks held a 78-75 lead with one minute left. Grady Thompson came up with a huge bucket plus the foul to tie the game again at 78-78. Neither team could find a way to end the first overtime, sending the game to another five minutes. Yet again the Spartans found themselves trailing early into the second overtime 83-81. After Thompson tied the game, Garrett Baumhover hit the biggest shot of the night, burring a three-pointer from the corner to give the Spartans an 86-83 lead with 1:49 left. 

The Duhawks found a way to tie the game down the stretch, but Thompson made a critical layup and then made two big free throws in the final second to seal the game for the Spartans. 

Hear from Robbie Sieverding
"What a game. Awesome crowd and just an unbelievable game. Really proud of how we hung in there especially after numerous starters fouled out. Our guys just kept believing and made some big plays down the stretch. Garrett hit the biggest shot of the game and he is tough kid. Grady stepped up big time and had made a ton of plays for us. Great experience for our guys to cut down the nets on senior day. This group has won three of the last five regular season championships and several tournament championships and has been a joy to coach."

Thompson finished with a career-high 29 points and was 11-13 from the free throw line. Williams continued his strong week with a 18 point, 13 rebound double double. McCants added 13 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and had three blocks. John had a big night with 11 points and four blocks, while Scott scored 10 points, had six rebounds, and six assists. 

The game featured 11 ties and 19 lead changes in what will go down as an all-time classic between the Spartans and Duhawks. 

The Spartans finish the regular season 20-5 overall and 14-2 in conference play. 

Up Next
The Spartans will have a bye on Tuesday with the No. 1 seed as they await the winner of No. 4 Central and No. 5 Coe. The Spartans will host the winner on Thursday, February 27. Time is yet to be determined, but will more than likely be at 7:00 p.m. Check the men's basketball schedule on Monday to see the official tip time.