DUBUQUE, Iowa - After a thrilling 63-62 win over the Loras College Duhawks on senior day, the University of Dubuque women's basketball team qualified for the A-R-C Tournament and will be the No. 5 seed in next week's tournament.
Prior to tip off, the stipulations were simple. Win or season over.
Both teams had tons of energy to open the game after both teams put up 20 first quarter points. That would quickly change in the second as both teams combined for only 19 points as the Spartans were able to build a five point lead at the half at 32-27.
In the third quarter, the Spartans were able to double their lead to 10 points on six different occasions throughout the third before taking a 52-45 lead heading into the final quarter. As expected, the Duhawks weren't going to go away quietly as they were able to tie the game at 58-58 with 5:32 remaining.
The Spartans defense was able to hold the Duhawks without a point for almost five minutes since they last tied the game up. In that stretch, the Spartans went back up by two possessions with less than a minute left. After two Duhawk free throws with 41 seconds left cut the lead to 62-60, it was then followed up by an untimely Spartan turnover with 15 seconds left.
The Duhawks had the ball with a chance to tie or take the lead, but threw an errant pass right into the hands of
Morgan Hawkins. Hawkins would miss the first free throw, but make the second to extend their lead to 63-60. The Spartans were able to not allow a three-point attempt on the Duhawks' final possession as the Spartans defeated the Duhawks for the first time since 2021 and advanced to the postseason next week.
In what was more than likely her final home game, Hawkins finished her day with a team-high 16 points.
Isabella Tierney finished with 10 points and five rebounds, while knocking down two crucial three-pointers.
Kaitlyn Powell was nearly perfect from the floor shooting 5-6 and finishing with 12 points.
Mia Miller was finding teammates everywhere, recording 11 assists for the game.
The Spartans improve to 10-15 overall and 7-9 in conference play.
Up Next
The Spartans will be the No. 5 seed in the A-R-C Tournament and will travel to Decorah, Iowa next Tuesday, February 25 to face Luther College in the opening round. Tip off is not set yet, but will more than likely be at 7:00 p.m. Check the women's basketball schedule on Monday for the confirmed time.
