WAVERLY, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - Behind senior
Christian Mathis' third double-double this season, the Loras men's basketball team upended Wartburg on Wednesday night, 84-75. Mathis finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds while sophomore
Ryan DiCanio added a game-high 26. With the victory, the Duhawks extend their winning streak to six, dating back to Dec. 10.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
First Half
- Loras (9-4, 2-2 IIAC) couldn't have planned for a better start to Wednesday's game, jumping out to a 10-2 lead with a 7-0 run.
- But just as quickly as the Duhawks built their lead, Wartburg (10-3, 2-2 IIAC) erased that and more, motoring its way in front with a 15-0 run.
- Mathis stopped the bleeding with one of his seven field goals with 10:45 remaining in the half.
- A 3-pointer from sophomore Josh Ruggles put Loras back in front at the 7:19 mark with DiCanio earning the assist before scoring a layup of his own on Loras' next possession.
- The Knights' Nick Webber drained a 3-pointer to cap a 6-0 run for Wartburg, resulting in a 30-27 lead.
- With 1:36 left in the half, Sawyer Herman made one of two from the line for the Knights, sending his team to the locker room ahead 33-31.
Second Half
- DiCanio kicked off the second half with five straight points and partnered with Mathis and sophomore Demond George for a 9-0 run.
- Just as quickly as the Duhawks raced out to a lead, Wartburg stormed right back with 3-pointers from Herman and Ryan Stulken before Clifton Brown added a layup.
- Loras swung the momentum pendulum back into its favor with a 15-2 run that spanned 3:28 of game time.
- Leading 75-62 with 2:28 to play, the Duhawks succumbed to the last-ditch effort of the Knights, whose full-court press resulted in a 10-0 run to cut Loras' lead to three.
- Thanks to key shooting from the line, Loras reestablished a healthy lead at 82-72 with seven consecutive free-throws.
- After not attempting a single free-throw in the first half, the Duhawks were 18-of-23 in the second half, significantly contributing to the 53 points scored.
- DiCanio scored 17 of his 26 points in the second half, while Mathis tallied 11 of his 18 points and seven of his 10 rebounds in the final 20 minutes.
- Loras turned 25 Wartburg turnovers into 32 points. The 25 turnovers were the most that they Knights had committed all season.
- With the victory, the Duhawks recorded their longest winning streak since the 2007-08 season when they posted streaks of nine and seven games.
FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYER OF THE GAME
Christian Mathis | The senior posted his third double-double of the season, finishing with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Mathis connected on 7-of-8 from the floor and added two assists.
SOUNDBITES (LINK)
UP NEXT
Loras returns to Lillis Court on Saturday to host Simpson. The Storm fell at home on Wednesday to Nebraska Wesleyan, 92-81. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.
