DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - Wednesday had all the characteristics of a true rivalry game between Loras and Dubuque, but in this chapter, it was the Spartans who prevailed, handing the No. 19 Duhawks their first loss of the season, 78-73. Loras struggled to overcome a poor shooting night, shooting 35 percent as a team.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED 
• Jordan Boyd established his presence down low early, swatting away Spartan layups on back-to-back possessions
• After going down early, Demond George hit a 3-pointer with 11:30 to go, giving the Duhawks their first lead of the night at 14-12
• With 7:30 remaining the Spartans tied the game up at 21 only to have Loras immediately respond with an and-1 layup to free-throw combination by Josh Ruggles
• The Spartans converted a late three pointer to tie the game, but Ryan DiCanio took the ball the length of the court and scored his first basket of the game with 20 seconds left in the half
• With 13:00 to go in the second half, Dubuque opened a six-point lead, only have to have it quickly erased after a pair of baskets by DiCanio and Navigato
• The Spartans opened a 10-point lead with 11:00 on the clock, their largest of the contest until that point, on the backs of an and-1 conversion and a transition 3-pointer
• Ruggles found Boyd cutting to the hoop for the layup and the foul bringing the Spartan lead to one … Dubuque immediately responded with a transition triple to put their lead back at four 
• Following a missed free-throw with 20 seconds left, the Duhawks had back-to-back three-point chances to bring things within one but they are not able to finish
 
NOTABLES
• Loras struggled from three shooting 22.2 percent from deep … 2-of-12 in the second half
• The Spartans out rebounded the Duhawks by 10
• Cole Navigato recorded a career-high with seven rebounds and a season-high 14 points
• In their lowest scoring half of the season so far, the Duhawks were held to 37.5 percent from the field and 26.7 percent from beyond the arc
• Boyd finished with a season-high two blocks
 
UP NEXT
The Duhawks return to league action on Saturday against Buena Vista. On Wednesday night, the Beavers handed Coe a 74-65 setback, improving to 3-2 this season. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.