Men's Basketball Maintains One Game Lead
Feb 3, 2016
DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque men's basketball team won in one of the toughest places to play in the Iowa Conference on Wednesday night. The Spartans spent a long ride on a bus travelling across the state to where a heavy snowfall and blizzard was blowing through just a day earlier. Some extra time on the road didn't slow the Spartans as they captured a 95-83 win in Siebens Center in Storm Lake in front of loud, raucous student section.
UD (7-2 in IIAC, 14-6 overall) maintained a game lead over Loras College (6-3 in IIAC, 11-9 overall) as the two teams prepare for a rematch Saturday at Loras. As the second half of the conference season winds down and each game passes, the chance for another leage team to make a run for the IIAC title lessens. A tough final six games for the Spartans will find them on the road in four out of six games, a win on the longest roadtrip Wednesday evening held hope for the Spartans for a chance at back-to-back IIAC Tournament titles and a spot in NCAA Tournament play.
Kain Arthofer led the Spartans with 26 points as four out of five starters would finish in double digit scoring. The IIAC Male Athlete of the Week, Andre Norris added 22 points and nine rebounds. Jacob Mohlis had 18 points and Jake Weber 12 points. The Spartans sizzled from the outside after connecting on 14-28 three point attempts. Both teams journeyed to the free throw line for a combined 60 attempts with UD sinking 81.8% and the Beavers 85.2%.
"Our starters played well and Kain had a great game on the offensive end," said Head Coach Robbie Sieverding. "We didn't play great in the second half but Andre kept our lead with three straight threes around the ten minute mark. Buena Vista is always a tough place to win so we will take this and try build on it. Saturday will be a good match up at Loras. They are playing well and have been really good at home this season."
The Spartans will tip-off at Loras on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. Other league games on Saturday include: Central at Simpson, Wartburg travels to Coe, and Luther will play at Buena Vista (6:00 p.m.).
