Spartans Win Uptempo Battle 110-102 Over Greenville
Nov 10, 2018
DUBUQUE, Iowa – In a fast-paced affair that came down to the final minute, the Spartans made the big plays late and came out with a 110-102 win over Greenville University.
In a game that featured 20 ties and 19 lead changes, the Spartans largest lead came in the opening six minutes when they raced out to an 11 point lead with 14:13 left in the first half. That lead was quick shrunk and the Panthers had it down to two points in just three minutes. The game stayed within one possession for the remainder of the first half with UD taking a 55-54 lead into the break.
Greenville raced out of the second half gates on a scoring barrage, cutting a two point deficit into a seven point lead, their largest of the game, at the 15:29 mark. The Spartans had it tied up less than two minutes later and the game remained tight until the final minutes.
A Panther three pointer put them ahead 102-101 with 2:41 remaining but Cade Daugherty answered right back for the Spartans getting a wide open layup with 2:10 left. After four straight points from Avery Butler the Spartans had a five point lead with 1:25 left. Another Spartan stop and run out gave Michael Williams a fast break layup, while drawing the foul to push the lead to eight and out of reach of the Panthers
The all-out press gave the Spartans many wide open, short range looks at the basket and Avery Butler and Michael Williams took full advantage. Butler was nearly perfect, as he went 18-20 from the field for a game-high 39 points. The 18 field goals in a game by Butler are the second most in a game in program history, missing the record by one. He also hauled in 13 rebounds to make it back-to-back double-doubles to begin the season.
Michael Williams made 11 of his 14 shot attempts against the Panthers for 26 points in 20 minutes. Despite not scoring, Deonte Newsome still made his presence felt by dishing out nine assists. The Spartans as a team had 26 assists, tying the school record for assists in a game that was set in 2005.
The Spartans dominated in the point on Saturday afternoon, scoring 84 of their 110 points in the paint. With how well the Spartans were scoring in the paint, UD shot just five three pointers, missing them all while Greenville did most of their scoring beyond the arc, going 15-59 from three. Fast break points were nearly identical as the Panthers had 43 and Spartans finished with 41.
The Spartans stay at home for their next contest when they host Edgewood College at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 14th.
