2016 IIAC Champions, UD Men's Basketball!
Feb 14, 2016
The University of Dubuque Men's Basketball claimed the 2016 IIAC Championship on Saturday with two games remaining!
DECORAH, Iowa - SPARTANS WIN, SPARTANS WIN! The University of Dubuque men's basketball team claimed the 2016 Men's Basketball Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title on Saturday. The Spartans have a three game lead with just two league games left after posting a commanding 72-53 victory in Decorah.
The host Norse kept the game tight after trailing by just eight points in the first half (29-21). The Spartans outside shots kept raining down on the Norse in the final 20 minutes of play and the Spartans ended the night sinking 14-27 three pointers for the game (51.9%).
Kain Arthofer held the hot hand as he sank 7-9 three point attempts to finish with 22 points. Reigning IIAC MVP, Andre Norris, led all scorers with 23 points and nine rebounds. Norris was perfect at the free throw line, sinking all seven attempts in 38 minutes of action. Jacob Mohlis sank four long balls to add 14 points and help UD capture their first IIAC title since 1990 and coach Robbie Sieverding first IIAC championship. The last title was under the legendary coach Jon Davison, who earned three titles in men's basketball in 1990, 1988, and 1986 for the Spartans. UD won the conference tournament championship in 2015 and 2011 earning the automatic bid into the NCAA Division III National Championships.
"Really happy for our team, our administration, fans, and past players here at UD," commented head coach Robbie Sieverding. "I think it means a little more because we finished a game back in three out of the last four years for a confeernce title. Andre (Norris) was great and showed why he is the best player in our league and has left no doubt with that all year. Kain (Arthofer) stepped up and hit some big shots and teammate Jacob Mohlis did as well. We shot the ball well from the three-point line tonight and our defense was solid once again. I'm just really proud of our team and the improvement we have made because early in the year we were not playing great, but our student-athletes dug deep and showed a gritty toughness this season."
The Spartans played 18 players in the game, led for 39:54 of the 40 minutes of play, and would lead by as much as 23 points in the win. UD entered the day with a two game lead over Simpson College, but the Storm was upset by Coe College 87-66. The loss handed the out right title to the Spartans. UD travels to Waverly on Wednesday, Feb. 17 to face the Wartburg Colege Knights who lost to Central on Saturday 75-101 in Pella.
UD will finish their regular season at home on Jon Davison Court in Stoltz Sports Center on Saturday, Feb. 20 on Senior Day. Game time will be 2:00 p.m. for the women's game and 4:00 p.m. for the men's contest.
IIAC Men's Basketball Titles for UD
2016
1990
1988
1986
1948
1947
1944
1941
IIAC Men's Basketball Most Valuable Player Award for UD
2016 ?
2015 - Andre Norris
1991 - Dave Crawford
1990 - Dave Crawford
1988 - Todd Millon
1986 - Tim Lundquist
1985 - Tim Lundquist
1983 - Robin Davis
1970 - Bob Finnegan
1969 - Bob Finnegan
