DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - With both teams entering with nearly identical records, all signs point to a highly contested matchup between Loras and their crosstown rivals, University of Dubuque.

ABOUT DUBUQUE ...
After a 2-0 start to conference play, the Spartans have split their last two contests. A 10--point loss to conference front-runner, No. 25 Luther was followed up with in overtime win against a Buena Vista squad that has lost six straight.

Led by the conference's leading scorer, senior Jenna Kotas, a majority of the Spartans wins come when she scores more than 20 points. The Tinley Park, Illinois native averages 15 shots per game while boasting a 42.1 field-goal percentage. On the glass, Kotas pulls down a team-best 7.5 boards per game.

While Kotas will require an immense amount of Loras' attention on defense, the Spartans other weapons will have to be contained. Meanwhile, the balanced offensive attack the Duhawks have displayed as of late will be necessary to lift them over the Spartans on Wednesday night.

HOT SHOOTING PUSHES DUHAWKS PAST DUTCH …
Loras used a 51.8 field-goal percentage and seven first half three-pointers to take an early lead against the Dutch on Saturday. Despite a valliant effort by Central, the Duhawks hot start and early lead was too much to overcome as Loras earned the 72-65 win. Senior Victoria May paved the way, leading the team with 15 points while going 7-of-9 from the floor.

RENEWING THE RIVALRY …
There is never a shortage of excitement when it comes to Loras' rivalry with Dubuque. One of the best rivalries in college sports, the two campuses are seperated by just over a mile. The teams split last year's series with each team winning at home, despite the Duhawks holding a late lead.

TOUGH WEEK AWAITS …
With games against Dubuque (9-6, 3-1) and No. 25 Luther (14-1, 4-0) the Duhawks will face two of the top teams in the Iowa Conference within days of each other. While the Duhawks travel to the Stolz Sports Center to renew the always intense crosstown rivalry with the Spartans, they will have to turn the focus to the Norse immediately after. Luther takes on the Simpson College Storm, the preseason favorite to win the Iowa Conference, on Wednesday before the Duhawks travel to Decorah, Iowa for Saturday afternoon's matchup.

McMAHON'S TRANSFORMATION CRITICAL FOR LORAS …
As a freshman Terese McMahon averaged just three minutes a game, giving the Duhawk posts a rest or filling in if fouls become an area of concern. This season, McMahon has shown tremedous growth as a player on both ends of the court. Her offensive skill set was on display in Loras' win over Simpson. A plethora of up-and-unders eluded defenders as McMahon recorded a career-high 14 points. Defensively, McMahon is a viable option of the bench to give sophomore Lori Obendorf or senior Victoria May a rest. Her willingness to look for her shot and play aggressive on the offensive side and defensive side provides the Duhawks with a consistent force in the paint. Behind the play of McMahon, Obendorf, and May the Duhawks have outscored their opponents 442 to 360 in the paint. Loras has been outscored in the paint just three times this season, they are 1-2 in those games.

OBENDORF LEADS LEAGUE ON GLASS …
Sophomore Lori Obendorf has shown her ability to be leader on the glass for the Duhawks. Loras' starting center leads the Iowa Conference in rebounding, pulling down 11.5 boards per game, nearly four more than the next closest player. The only player in the conference averaging double digits in rebounding, Obendorf's stellar sophomore campaign has been highlighted by captivating performance at St. Ambrose. The Naperville, Illinois native fueled the Duhawks to the win over the ranked Fighting Bees, scoring 13 points and grabbing a season-high 19 rebounds.

BENCH CONTRIBUTIONS KEY TO DUHAWKS' SUCCESS …
Paced by freshman Miranda Chapman and sophomore Terese McMahon, the play of the Duhawks bench has been a vital piece to the team's success. Loras holds a 5-1 record when their bench outscores their opponents. While Chapman provides depth at the guard position, McMahon rounds out the three-headed monster in the post alongside sophomore Lori Obendorf and senior Victoria May.

DUHAWKS CLOSE 2014 WITH 20-9 RECORD …
The 2014 calendar year was an especially noteworthy one for the Loras College Women's Basketball program. The Duhawks accumulated a 20-9 record on their way to their first regular season conference title in over a decade before running the table in the Iowa Conference tournament to earn an automatic bid to the big dance. Loras' season came to a close in the opening round of the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball tournament, as a tight contest ended in favor of host, St. Thomas.

LORAS PICKED TO FINISH SECOND IN IOWA CONFERENCE COACHES POLL ...
The Duhawks were voted second, receiving two first place votes. Finishing just ahead of Loras (48) was Simpson College with 54 points. While Coe College rounded out the top three with 42 points, receiving one first place vote. Loras' roster is filled with talent, some of which is unproven with the loss of three key seniors. Simpson earns the first place slot for the second straight year after finishing 14-12 last season.

DUHAWKS LOSE LORAS' TOP SENIOR CLASS ...
Over the course of her career Katie Langmeier etched her name in Loras history as one of the best in program history. Fueling the Duhawks to their best season in over a decade, Langmeier was named to the D3Hoops All-West Region Second team after being named Iowa Conference Most Valuable Player and Co-Defensive Player of the Year. In addition to Langmeier, the Duhawks lose Lauren Byrne and Katie Wheeler. Byrne's leadership combined with her contributions on the floor (6.0 pts, 3.8 rebounds). In Wheeler, Loras loses leadership and grit. Together the three make up the winningest class in Loras Women's Basketball history, with 66 wins over their four-year careers.

ALL-CONFERENCE TRIO PRIMED FOR SEASON ...
Senior Victoria May returns for her senior season after posting career-highs across the board as a junior. As the team's most efficient shooter, boasting a team-best .539 field goal percentage.Junior Kaitlin Phillips was second to only Langmeier in points per game last season (12.2) while she led the Duhawks in free throws (72), three-pointers (34). Sophomore Kat Cabrera looks to build upon last year's breakout season. As a freshman Cabrera averaged 6.8 points and 3.0 rebounds. She led the team with 72 assists while also shooting a team-best 84.7% from the free throw line.

HEINZEN BEGINS EIGHTH SEASON WITH THE DUHAWKS ...
Justin Heinzen will embark on his eighth season as the head coach of the Duhawks after leading his team to a 19-9 record, the best under his tenure, in 2013-14. The stellar season by his squad earned Heinzen Iowa Conference Coach of the Year honors and moved him into the lead for wins in the program's history. He enters the season with a 112-76 record.  

NEW ADDITION TO THE COACHING STAFF ...
On June 2, Jamie Majerowicz was tabbed Heinzen's top assistant. A standout student-athlete and later coach at Winona State, Majerowicz comes to Loras with four years of coaching experience on top of a strong playing career. Her main focus will be working with the Duhawks posts to find a new solution down low after losing Langmeier to graduation. For Majerowicz, she's excited for the opportunity to work alongside Heinzen, who's proven to be effective in the Iowa Conference.