Spartans Comeback Falls Short in Season Finale
Feb 18, 2017
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa- The University of Dubuque men’s basketball team just fell short in the season finale to the Coe College Kohawks, losing 80-82.
After a sluggish start from both teams with only 15 combined points being scored in the first eight minutes of action, the pace picked up dramatically. Jamaree Atwater found his groove and dropped 21 points in the first half, going 7-8 from the field and 5-5 from behind the arc. Four different Spartans hit a combined 10 threes in the first half to help give the Spartans a 43-39 lead going into the break.
Coe took a 10 point lead with 1:50 left in the game but the Spartans continued to battle and cut the deficit to just one point with 17 seconds left. After Coe made one of two from the free throw line, the Spartans had a chance to tie or take the lead but Jamaree Atwater turned it over and the Kohawks ran out the clock.
After his 21 points in the first half, Jamaree Atwater finished with 29 in the game while also grabbing four rebounds. Senior, Jacob Mohlis finished with 22 points, including 14 in the second half alone, while also hitting clutch shots and free throws down the stretch to try to extend the Spartans season. Another senior, Jake Weber, just missed out on a double double, dropping eight points and hauling in 12 rebounds.
The Spartans shot 43.3% from the field in the game but it was not quite enough as Coe shot 46.8%. After hitting 10 three pointers in the first half, the UD shooters cooled off and only connected on three in the second half. Both teams were very careful with the ball, as there was only a combined 12 turnovers in the game, eight by UD and four by Coe.
With the loss, the Spartans just miss out on an Iowa Conference Tournament appearance, finishing with a record of 10-15, 7-9 IIAC.
