DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) – The Stoltz Center was filled to the brim with fans of both Loras College and the University of Dubuque. The energy was felt from both sides throughout the game as the crosstown rivals butted heads. As the buzzer sounded, Loras had been defeated by a final score of 67-55. The Duhawks were led by senior Nathaniel Smith who tallied 10 points and four rebounds.

Despite striking first on the scoreboard with a Mirko Grcic post move, the Duhawks found themselves on the wrong end of an 18-4 run in the first seven minutes of the game. A series of fast break opportunities thanks to four steals on the defensive end led to two Domonique Criss lay-ins and a Justin VanWambeke three-pointer to bring the lead within 10.

A great defensive battle was on hand as the two teams sat at a score of 27-17 with five minutes remaining in the half. The Duhawks recorded nine steals within the first half and three blocks.
However, they were facing a great challenge on the other end as the Spartans forced the Duhawks to shoot just 34 percent from the field including 30 percent from beyond the arc and 40 percent from the free-throw line. After 20 minutes, Dubuque held a 34-25 upper hand.

The Spartans started the second half in similar fashion as the first, going on an 8-1 run, pushing their lead to the largest of the game at 18. Loras did everything they could to battle back, but the Duhawks were never able to cut deficit to within single digits the rest of the night.

Dubuque held the advantage in a number of categories on the night, but their ability to score in the paint gave Loras fits all night long. In the second half alone, the Spartans outscored the Duhawks in the paint 26-16.

With time winding down, senior Luke Barry gave the Duhawks a drive to the basket, resulting in a 3-pointer to bring his team to within 12. The 12-point spread would serve as the final the difference for the final score.