Spartans Shock Storm With Huge Comeback
Feb 8, 2017
INDIANOLA, Iowa - The University of Dubuque women's basketball team rallied from being down as much as 25 points, to upend the Simpson Storm 83-81. Emily Brinker knocked down two free throws with nine seconds left to give the Spartans the lead and the Spartans forced a turnover on Simpson's following possesion to complete the comeback.
Things did not get off to a good start for UD, as Simpson jumped out to a 15-0 lead in the first four minutes of action. The Storm extended that lead to 25 at one point before taking a 21 point lead into halftime. The Spartans chipped away at the deficit in the third quarter, cutting the Storm's lead to 14 heading into the fourth, where the Spartans caught fire and outscored Simpson 30-14 in the final quarter.
Besides knocking down the game winning free throws, Emily Brinker led the Spartans in scoring with 26 points, 16 of which came in the second half. She was able to get to the free throw line 13 times on the night, making all 13 of them. With eight rebounds in the game, Brinker reached the 500 rebound mark in her career, becoming just the fifth player in UD history to score 1,000 points and grab 500 rebounds in her career.
Every Spartan scored at least three points in the game, the Boer sisters combined for 17 with Madison having 11 and Morgan with 6. Abbey Meyer filled up the enitre stat shee as she had eight points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Ali Roach came off the bench for UD to score 15 points, knocking down three, three pointers. Rylee Andresen and Lexi Daniels were the other two Spartans to score off the bench for the Spartans with eight and six points, respectively.
UD shot just 31% (9-29) from the field in the first half, before getting hot in the second half and making 46.9% (15-32) of their shots in the second half. The Spartans also got to the free throw line a staggering 34 times in the game, converting on 28 for them for 82.4%. UD went 22-25 from the charity stripe in the second half to help spark the comeback
The Spartans are back at home on Saturday afternoon as they host Nebraska Wesleyan at 2:00 p.m. at the Stoltz Sports Center. It is senior night, where the Spartans will honor their lone senior, Emily Brinker.
