Men's Basketball Fall a Game Back in IIAC
Feb 15, 2014
DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque #23-ranked men's basketball team held their fate in their hands on Senior Day, but the visiting Central College Dutch snatched away the contest late by a 80-74 score. The loss dropped the Spartans to a game out of the IIAC lead over the league leading Dutch.
The Spartans jumped out early to a 10 point lead, before the Dutch would slice into the Spartan lead by halftime 28-34. Central's Matt Greenfield ended the first half with eight points and five rebounds. Greenfield found his mark in the final half of play to finish the night with 30 points and 14 defensive rebounds.
UD found themselves in foul trouble and would look to the bench often in the loss. Andre Norris led the Spartan offense with 20 points, but played with four fouls the last half of the second period. Gage Heffernan finished with his own double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Mark Preston made the most of his start on senior day by sinking two three pointers to finish with six points.
UD falls to 20-3 overall, 9-3 in IIAC after the second consecutive loss of the week. The Spartans will travel to face the Buena Vista University Beavers (11-12 overall, 6-6 in IIAC) on Wednesday, Feb. 19 before ending the regular conference season in Decorah against the Luther College Norse (15-8 overall, 7-5 in IIAC) on Feb. 22. Coe and Simpson were knocked out of the 2014 IIAC Tournament on Saturday. The field is set with the top-6 qualifiers, all that is left to sort out is the final standings.
The Spartans trail the Dutch (17-6 overall, 10-2 in IIAC) by a game in league play for the conference championship. The Dutch will play at Luther on Feb. 19 before hosting the Wartburg College Knights (11-12 overall, 5-7 in IIAC) on Feb. 22.
