INDIANOLA, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Loras men's basketball team had its 11-game winning streak snapped on Wednesday night, falling to Simpson on the road, 101-95. Sophomore
Ryan DiCanio led the Duhawks with 27 points and 10 rebounds for his fourth double-double this season.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
First Half
- Both teams came out putting immense pressure on their respective defensive ends, but slowly managed to find their offensive rhythms.Â
- Sophomore Demond George sparked the offense for the Purple & Gold in the first five minutes with two 3-pointers on two straight possessions. The Naperville, Ill. native finished the half with 12 points on 2-of-4 shooting from downtown.Â
- Freshman Matt Dacy-Seijo got in on the action, hitting a three with the shot clock winding down with 9:43 left in the half putting Loras up 25-19.Â
- The Storm responded with a 13-5 run giving them a two-point lead at 32-30. George tied the game on the next possession as the shot clock expired.
- Simpson closed the half scoring 16 of the last 26 points to take the 48-42 lead into the locker room.
Second Half
- Loras came out of the gates strong in the second half cutting the Storm lead to three twice in the first five minutes.
- Beginning at the 14:58 mark of the half, Simpson opened a sizable lead at 68-52 thanks to a 13-0 run. During the stretch, the Duhawks were 0-for-8 from the field, while the Storm connected on 3-of-5 from the floor, including all seven free-throws.
- In response, Loras went into desperation mode and implemented the full-court press in an attempt to cut into the Storm lead.Â
- DiCanio flipped the switch and from this point on scored 22 points the rest of the way, making a living in the paint, where he scored 10 of his 27 total points.
- The Duahwks' press down the stretch helped shrink the Simpson lead to single digits with under two minutes to play, but the Storm's ability to knock down free-throws kept the lead safe in their hands.
- DiCanio's pair from the line brought Loras to within four, but that was as close as the comeback bid would get, as Simpson held on for the 101-95 win.
NOTABLES
- With the loss, Loras' win streak ends at 11, matching the third longest streak in program history
- Loras shot 25.0 percent from the three point line, which is tied for the second lowest all seasonÂ
- The Storm won the board battle, 38-36
- 101 points for Simpson was the second highest total this season, aided largely in part by the 55 free-throw attempts that were taken
FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYER OF THE GAMEÂ
Ryan DiCanio I The Bartlett, Ill. native spearheaded the second half rally, scoring all of his 27 points coming in the final frame. The guard also grabbed 10 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season.Â
UP NEXTÂ
Following a break on Saturday, Loras returns to conference action next Wednesday against Wartburg. The Knights defeated Coe on Wednesday, 68-60, improving to 13-6 and 5-5 in the IIAC. Tip-off from inside the Athletic & Wellness Center is scheduled for 8 p.m.
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