Early Christmas Gift as Spartans Move to 10-1 Overall
Dec 21, 2014
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The University of Dubuque men's basketball team captured their tenth win of the 2014-15 season and finished 2014 with a 10-1 overall record after a 58-51 victory over Bridgewater College Eagles. The Spartans will enjoy Christmas before returning to campus to prepare for the Iowa Conference opener on January 7 when the Spartans host the Central College Dutch at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday afternoon it was a defensive effort as both teams held each other to utilize the clock and play a slower paced contest. The Spartans trailed after the opening half by a 20-25 score. Both squads shooting percentage was as chilly as the temperature in Iowa. UD was a touch better as they made seven of 25 attempts (28%), the Eagles finished the half sinking just nine of 36 attempts (25%). The Spartans returned to form and shot 50% from the floor in the second half, making 14-28 attempts. The Spartans defense held the Eagles to just eight made baskets in the final 20 minutes as they stretched their lead to as much as nine points in the final minute.
Jacob Mohlis led the Spartans in scoring with 15 points. Andre Norris didn't rest much after playing 35 minutes and ending the afternoon with 14 points and nine rebounds. Gage Heffernan had 12 points and he and Norris would both finish with two blocks. Bridgewater led in rebounding 43-41 and both teams committed 14 turnovers.
"We played two very solid games on the defensive end in Daytona. Mitchell Morrisey also provided us with some good minutes of the bench in both games. I am proud of our guys for getting through the road heavy non-conference schedule at 10-1. We had great weather and I think this road trip will be a memory our guys will carry for a long time. We are looking forward to Iowa Conference play after the first of the year," said Head Coach Robbie Sieverding.
The win extends the Spartans streak to three years with one or less loss through the month of December. UD will enjoy a bit of free time before they begin play in the tough Iowa Conference in January.
