#23-ranked Spartans Lose a Heartbreaker at Home
Feb 12, 2014
DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque men's basketball gave the fans in attendance Wednesday night a thriller not soon to be forgotten in Stoltz Sports Center. A near capacity crowd on hand witnessed a heartbreaking loss for just the second time this season for the Spartans to rival Loras College Duhawks. Down by two points in the final seconds, UD's Chris Frazier connected for a three pointer off the right side to put the #23-ranked Spartans ahead 70-69. The Duhawks called a time out with seven seconds remaining. Loras inbound the ball and pushed it quickly up court. The Duhawks Nathaniel Smith broke free and pulled up for a 10 foot jumper off the right lane and the ball quietly swished through the net with 1.7 seconds left on the clock, giving the lead to Loras 71-70. The Spartans with no timeouts, tossed the ball to Brandon Ferguson who made a last shot attempt from over half court and the ball bounced off the right side of the backboard ending the Spartans with just their second loss of the 2013-14 season.
The crowd never left their seats except to stand and cheer Wednesday night as the contest kept them glued to the action on the court where the game was tied 11 times and the two squads swapped lead an amazing 16 times. Neither team led by more than eight points, it was just unforunate for the Spartans to lose their first home game this season.
The game belonged to UD's Andre Norris and Nathaniel Smith of the Duhawks as they led their teams with a game high 29 points each. Gage Heffernan added 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds as teammate Chris Frazier dropped four shots from the outside to finish with 12 points. UD sank 9-22 three point attempts (40.9%). The Spartans were beaten in rebounding 32-41, but the big difference was second chance points where the Duhawks scored 13 points as UD ended with just four points. UD's bench was out scored 16-6.
UD led at the break 30-28 after a crowd thundering dunk by Norris as time expired in the opening half.
It doesn't get any easier on Saturday night for the Spartans when they host Central College (16-6 overall) who are now tied with the Spartans for the conference lead at 9-2. The 20-2 Spartans will host the Dutch on Jon Davison Court for their final regular season home game. Tip-off slated for 4:00 p.m.
