Spartans Fall 85-66 to UNI
Nov 1, 2013 | J.Crane
CEDAR FALLS, IOWA - The University of Dubuque Men's Basketball team looks to be among the best in Division III in 2013-14. On Friday night, they played one of the top Mid-Majors in Division I in the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). The Spartans lost to UNI 85-66 in the Exhibition Game at the McLeod Center in front of 3,278 fans. Chris Frazier (Heidelberg, Germany/Heidelberg) and Lucas Ware (Platteville, Wis./Platteville) led UD in scoring with 15 points each.
Over the course of the first 11 minutes, the two teams were evenly matched with UD holding a 22-21 lead. The Spartans took the lead after a 8-2 run which included three-pointers by Mitch Michaelis (LeClaire, Iowa/Pleasant Valley) and Gage Heffernan (Dubuque, Iowa/Hempstead) and a layup by Andre Norris (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield Central).
The Spartans went into halftime down 41-36 but did hold a 14-7 lead in points off turnovers. UD forced 10 UNI turnovers while committing only six themselves. Dubuque was 6-7 (85.7%) from the Free Throw line in the first half.
UD was within five points at the 11:36 mark of the second half before the Panthers went on a 12-3 run over the next three minutes.
Tyler Ware (Platteville, Wis./Platteville) led the Spartans on the boards with seven rebounds (3-offensive/4-defensive). Ware also chipped in eight points.
Frazier finished with a game high three three-pointers while Ware was a perfect 7-7 from the free throw line. Norris was the third Spartan in double figures with 10 points. Norris and Michaelis each had a game high three steals.
All 17 Spartans who dressed for the game played at least one minute. The two teams combined for 52 fouls with UD being called for 32 while UNI was whistled for 20 fouls.
Preseason All-MVC forward Seth Tuttle led all players with 21 points and 15 rebounds.
The UD - UNI match-up was a homecoming of sorts for Head Coach Robbie Sieverding. Sieverding played at UNI from 1999-2002 and currently ranks eighth all-time at UNI in career points with 1,402 points. He was named First Team All-MVC in 2002 and Second Team All-MVC in 2000.
UP NEXT: Dubuque opens the 2013-14 season on November 15th vs. North Central University at the University of Northwestern Tip-Off Tournament.
Follow all UD Athletics action on Twitter at: @UDubuqueSports
