DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque men's basketball team swept the A-R-C regular season champions on Saturday afternoon with a close 68-65 win over the Nebraska Wesleyan University Prairie Wolves. The Spartans celebrated the careers of Jalen Scott, Dylan Hibicke, as well as student assistants Brady Horsfall and Nate Kistner. 

The Spartans excelled on the defensive end of the floor in the first half, holding NWU to just 23 points. NWU led 14-9 with 13:40 left in the half, before the Spartans went on a 12-0 run to take a 21-14 lead with eight minutes left to close out the first half. The Spartans still held NWU to only two made field goals in the final 7:45 and with a heave by Jayden Hunt with seconds left the Spartans led 35-23 at the half.

NWU came out of the half on a 17-2 run to take their first lead of the second half. The Spartans did not have a made field goal until 13:24 of the second half after Joey Coppola IV tied the game at 40-all with a three-pointer. Spencer Roeder answered Coppola IV on the next possession down the floor with another three and the Spartans regained the momentum. 

The Spartans would continue to lead by single digits down the stretch, but after the Spartans went back up by five with 18 seconds left, the Spartans would be called for a flagrant foul that gave NWU two free throws and the ball. NWU knocked down the pair at the line and then would get two looks from beyond the arc to tie it. The first would miss, but was knocked out of bounds by the Spartans. The second and final attempt with three seconds left would be missed after a clutch block by Jalen Scott to seal the win.

Hear from Robbie Sieverding
"Great way to end the regular season on senior day. Guys got off to a great start in the first half and we needed the lead because we struggled in the second half. Joey played great off the bench and our two seniors both made some big plays. New season starts now and hopefully we can keep it rolling."

Off the bench, Coppola IV had a game-high 15 points, going 4-8 from three. Grady Thompson finished with 11 points and eight rebounds. Scott scored nine points, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out six assists. 

The Spartans were 15-18 at the free throw line and in the final two minutes of the game were 4-6 down the stretch. 

The Spartans finish the regular season 16-9 overall and 9-7 in conference play which earned them the No. 4 seed in the A-R-C Tournament next week. 

Up Next
The Spartans will host the No. 5 seed Buena Vista University Beavers on Tuesday, February 24 at 7:00 p.m. from the Stoltz Sports Center. The winner will travel on Thursday, February 26 to face the No. 1 seed Nebraska Wesleyan University Prairie Wolves. 

Reminder: The A-R-C Tournament is a PPV tournament to watch online.
Tournament Pass - $20, Single Game - $10.