DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) – The valiant comeback effort made by the Loras Women's Basketball team fell short on Saturday as the Duhawks fell 78-74 to their crosstown rivals, University of Dubuque. Sophomore Erin Weaver led the Duhawks off the bench with 16 points on 8-of-10 shooting.
 
Even with the tight defense Loras employed on Saturday in the first half, the Spartans seemed to be oblivious as they hit shot after shot to the tune of a 21-14 lead halfway through the first half. The Duhawks fought their way back, however, to make it 29-27 thanks to balanced shooting from inside the arc.
 
After sophomore Lori Obendorf's two free-throws with 5:32 remaining, the Spartans march right down the court and Emily Brinker buried a 3-pointer. That basket was the catalyst to Dubuque's 19-9 run to end the first half, giving them a 48-36 lead after 20 minutes of play.
 
Staring at a double-digit deficit, the Duhawks went right to work in the second half but were unsuccessful in slowing down the Spartan offense through the first 10 minutes. Nearly every time Loras would make a basket, Dubuque came back with one of their own.
 
With 12:05 remaining, the Spartans held a healthy 13-point advantage, but all that was about to change.
 
Over the next 7:41 of gameplay, six different Duhawks buried shots to the tune of an 18-6 run. Weaver added six, all on layups in the paint. With 4:24 to play, the Duhawks had cut the Spartan lead to just one and were knocking on the doorstep to take their first lead 17:16 of the first half.
 
Trailing by five, senior Carly Goede took the pass from freshman Megan Jones and buried the 3-pointer to make it 74-72 Dubuque.
 
Foul trouble for Loras put them in a precarious position as Dubuque went 6-of-6 from the line down the stretch, keeping the Duhawk comeback in check.
 
Loras' best chance to equalize came after Jenna Kotas missed her layup and junior Kaitlin Phillips took the rebound coast-to-coast, only to be whistled for the charge, turning possession over to Dubuque.