Spartans Cruise Past Saints in Final Non-Conference Skirmish
Jan 2, 2015
BOX SCORE
DUBUQUE, Iowa – In their final non-conference game, the University of Dubuque women’s basketball team took advantage of a balanced attack, made quick work out of St. Scholastica and never trailed in a 87-73 triumph.
Four starters scored in double figures as the Spartans (6-5) built a double-digit lead with a 14-3 flurry less than seven minutes into the first half. From there the Spartans continued their frenetic pace and utilized their slashing guards to a 46-20 advantage inside the paint, including 28-10 in the first.
A healthy, 48-26 halftime lead over St. Scholastica (2-7), winners of two-in-a-row, gave way to a platoon-style substitution method that allowed 16 Spartans to see the floor. While senior Brittany Collier led the team in scoring for the first time this season with 16 points, Emily Brinker and Jessie Kirkwood anchored the reserves with eight and six points, respectively.
The Spartans started off 56% from the field in the first but cooled down to 37.5% in the second. Eight Spartans shot 50% or better from the field including Collier, who went 6 of 8 from the floor.
Senior Kayla Springer added 15 points and seven rebounds while Brinker also grabbed seven rebounds. The Spartan starters outscored the Saints starting five, 58-31.
The Spartans face Central (9-2) in Stoltz on January 5 at 6:00 p.m. in their Iowa Conference opener. The Dutch took down Bethany Lutheran at home, 60-55, on January 2, in their non-conference finale.
