DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) – The Loras College Men's Basketball opened up the Iowa Conference portion of their schedule on Wednesday night in the Athletic and Wellness Center, falling to Buena Vista 78-70. Junior Mirko Grcic's double-double effort wasn't enough as the Beavers shot 57 percent from the floor, including 60 percent alone in the second half.

For the fourth game in a row, the Duhawks began the game with a hot start. The team jumped out to 9-2 lead within the first four minutes of the game. The charge was led by Grcic as he had seven of the team's nine points during the stretch.

With 6:48 remaining in the first half, Buena Vista (8-4, 1-0) took their first lead of the night and never looked back. Cole Darrow kick started a 19-10 run, converting four consecutive lay-ups and draining a 3-pointer all over a span of 5:52 to give the Beavers a 38-27 lead with 2:10 to go in the half.

Loras used the remaining 130 seconds to their advantage, finishing the half on a 6-0 run to trim the Beaver's lead to five after 20 minutes of play.

After trading a layup for a 3-pointer by Schueller, Loras found themselves down by four in the opening minute of the second half, but that would be as close as they would get the rest of the night.

Trailing by nine with 9:02 to play, Grcic provided a jumpstart with a NBA-level block; swatting Darrow's layup attempt and starting Loras back the other way. Sophomore Justin VanWambeke dropped a three to make it 62-56, but the Duhawks were unable to build from there, as Buena Vista responded to regain control of the ballgame.

Three of the Beaver's eight 3-pointers came in the second half at a point in the game where it killed Loras' momentum.

Buena Vista stretched their lead to as much as 13 with 1:41 left before Loras mounted yet another comeback. This time, it was too little too late, as the Beavers held Loras in check to win 78-70.