DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - Loras hosts Dubuque in the Athletic & Wellness Center to kick off the second half of the Iowa Conference regular season schedule.
ABOUT DUBUQUE ...By the looks of their overall record, University of Dubuque appears as though they should be running away with the Iowa Conference. A 10-1 non-conference record hasn't translated to IIAC play where the Spartans are 4-3 and in third place in the standings.
Andre Norris has been making his campaign for IIAC Player of the Year, averaging 19.4 points per game and 9.7 rebounds per game. Against Loras earlier this season, Norris finished with 19 points and eight rebounds.
Gage Heffernen and Brandon Ferguson join Norris as the scoring leaders, with Heffernen averaging 14.4 points per game and Ferguson averaging 11.0 points per game.
A huge part of Dubuque's success against Loras in their last meeting was their ability to control the paint to the tune of 42 points compared to Loras' 26.
DUHAWKS ANSWER WITH WIN OVER WARTBURG …The Loras Men's Basketball team needed the full 40 minutes on Wednesday night, as they defeated Wartburg College 68-67 thanks in part to a last-second layup from sophomore
Domonique Criss. Junior
Mirko Grcic finished with 18 points and 15 rebounds while senior
Nathaniel Smith led the scoring affair with 19 points on 8-of-14 shooting.
OPPORTUNITY TO AVENGE LOSS …On Saturday, Loras will have an opportunity to avenge their earlier loss to Dubuque. The Spartans used their hostile environment to their advantage, taking Loras away from their inside game and limiting
Mirko Grcic to just five points. Now, playing in their home arena, Loras can earn some payback against their bitter rivals.
KEYING IN ON THE BIG MAN …In his last two games, junior
Mirko Grcic has drawn the attention of opposing defenses, resulting in 12 points combined. While his rebounding numbers are still in the double-digits on average, Grcic's ability to put up points was a cornerstone of Loras' offense early in the season.
DEFENSE THE KEY TO WINNING …While it's no surprise to say that a good team defense will win a lot of games for a squad, the stats strongly back it up for the Duhawks this season. In games that Loras has won, they've held opponents to an average of 67.5 points. However, in games that they have lost, opponents have scored, on average 78.7 points, including three games of 90+ points. With the talent Loras has, they know that they can score, but a focus on defense will be crucial to their success in the final stretch of the season.
THE FINAL STRETCH …Eight games are all that remain on the regular season schedule in the 2014-15 season. If the season ended today, Loras would be relying on a tie-breaker to earn one of the final playoff spots. At 2-4 in conference play, Loras will need to turn the tides on their opponents during the return trip over the next three weeks.
SMITH CONTINUING TO IMPROVE COMING OFF INJURY …Senior
Nathaniel Smith started just his third game of the year in the first clash of the year between Loras and University of Dubuque, but he has shown us all why he's considered the leader of this team. In just his second start since his injury, Smith has been a leader for the Duhawks on both sides of the ball with his consistent shot and his effort on the boards.
DUHAWKS STRUGGLING AWAY FROM HOME …Coming off of a season in which the Duhawks played better away than at home to the tune of an 8-6 record, Loras has struggled to win games on the road thus far. The Duhawks boast just a 1-4 record away from the Athletic and Wellness Center this season which has left some Duhawks fans surprised. Two of these losses came at the hands of conference opponents, hurting the Duhawks chances of moving towards the top of the conference standings. Winning games on the road tends to be the key to placing well at the end of the season.
GRCIC A STRONG FORCE ON THE LOW-POST …Through 18 games this season, junior
Mirko Grcic is averaging 15.3 points per game and 11.3 rebounds per game. His presence in the low-post has given the Duhawks an avenue nearly every night. From his 26-point and 21-rebound performance on opening night against Edgewood, Grcic has routinely been a force to be reckoned with for Loras.
HARMENING ADMITS TO SLUMP, PROVES WHY HE'S THE STARTING PG …This season senior
Bobby Harmening has been experiencing a significant slump that has resulted in some fans questioning his spot in the starting lineup. Harmening responded in a big way in the Duhawks victory over Central. With 15 points, two assists, and five rebounds on 4-of-9 shooting, Harmening reassured fans that his best has yet to come this season. His improved play would drastically improve the Duhawks chances of winning the IIAC Conference Tournament later this season.
The senior had this to say about his play "I've been struggling from the field over the course of the last five games, I've been working more on my shot, but the biggest thing is that my teammates still encourage me to shoot. Their belief in me is by far the biggest thing that encourages me."
GORTON JOINS THE CENTURY CLUB ...With the win over Simpson, Head Coach
Greg Gorton reached 100 career Iowa Conference victories. In his tenth season at the helm, Gorton joins the likes of Buena Vista's Brian Van Haaften and Wartburg's Dick Perth as the only three current Men's Basketball coaches in the conference with 100 wins in the IIAC. All three of coaches are the longest tenured men's coaches in the conference. This accomplishment emphasizes the commitment Gorton has to his program as well as his athletes.
GRCIC TIES SCHOOL RECORD ...In the 2014-15 season opener, junior
Mirko Grcic hauled in 26 rebounds, tying a Loras school record dating all the way back to the 1954-55 season. That year, Al Carew collected 26 rebounds in a game against St. Norbert College.
