DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Loras men's basketball team wrote its final page in its 2017 chapter on Saturday, improving to 9-3 this season following a 76-75 win over Monmouth. Junior Ryan DiCanio led the charge with a game-high 17 points, adding seven assists and hauling in six rebounds.

SERIES NOTABLES
- Saturday was the third meeting in program history between Loras and Monmouth … With the win, the Duhawks take a 2-1 lead in the series … The two sides met in back-to-back seasons in 1984-85 and 1985-86 with the Fighting Scots taking the first game, 75-72, and the Duhawks winning the second, 67-55

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
- A 3-pointer from freshman Rowan McGowen paired with a layup from freshman Cole Navigato opened a five-point spread for Loras at 11-6
- Sophomore JT Ford sunk two straight buckets as the Duhawks took a 24-19 lead midway through the first half
- Two Loras turnovers were converted into a 7-0 run by the Fighting Scots, only to have the Duhawks turn the tables and go on their own 5-0 with baskets by senior Ryan DiCanio and sophomore Jordon Kedrowski
- On three different occasions between the 12:00 minute mark and 9:00 minute mark of the second half, the Fighting Scots stole the lead from the Duhawks, only to be turned back to Loras' favor after 3-pointers from McGowen
- A 6-0 run for Monmouth resulted in its biggest lead of the night at 61-56 with 6:46 to play
- With less than three minutes remaining, and the Duhawks facing a two-point deficit, senior Justin Busch found junior Josh Ruggles for a 3-pointer, pushing Loras back in front, 66-65
- Over the final three minutes, DiCanio took over, scoring eight of the final 13 points for the Duhawks as Loras went 3-for-3 from the floor and 6-for-6 from the free-throw line

TEAM NOTABLES
- In the 2017 calendar year, Loras went 19-7, which included three winning streaks of four games or more
- The Duhawks remained perfect at home this season, improving to 5-0
- Loras tied a season-best mark with three blocked shots on Saturday
- With a 3-point field goal percentage of 42.3, Saturday was the fourth consecutive game in which the Duhawks have shot 40 percent or better from distance
- Loras earned its first win of the season when opponents post a +10 rebounding margin or better
- The Duhawks are now 4-1 in games this season that are decided by five or fewer points

INDIVIDUAL NOTABLES
- Senior Justin Busch recorded a career-high five assists with four different scorers
- Sophomore JT Ford's eight points on Saturday were a career-high, with all eight points coming in the first half

FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYER OF THE GAME - RYAN DICANIO
- When his team needed someone to step up, DiCanio took over and almost single-handedly lifted Loras to a win on Saturday, scoring eight points in the final three minutes … The Bartlett prep now has 886 points in his career … Based on his scoring average this season of 17.6 points per game, DiCanio is on pace to join the 1,000-point club on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at home against Wartburg

UP NEXT 
Loras' homestand continues into the new year as the Duhawks play host to Dubuque on Wednesday, Jan. 3 in a return to Iowa Conference action. The Spartans fell to 8-4 this season after a 77-74 loss to Clarke on Saturday. Tip-off from inside the Athletic & Wellness Center is scheduled for 8 p.m.