DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - They didn't lead for long on Wednesday, but the Duhawks jumped in front when it mattered most thanks to a layup from Demond George with :02 on the clock to push the Duhawks in front for good in an 87-86 win over Simpson. Loras was led by Josh Ruggles who recorded his 16th game this season of 20 or more points, totaling 29 on 8-of-16 shooting.

POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE (Link)


MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
- Simpson started early on a 15-4 run in the first nine minutes of the game, resulting in a 20-9 advantage
- Loras battled back, cutting the Storm lead to four following an 11-4 run of their own off of two three's from Ruggles and one from Kedrowski
- Coming off of the bench, Dimitric Young and JT Ford combined to add 10 points and helped bring Loras back to within one before the end of the opening half
- George's 3-pointer at 13:02 gave the Duhawks their first lead of the game
- There were six lead changes within the last 11 minutes of the game with neither team able to open more than a three-point advantage
- Simpson's Sam Amsbaugh tied the game with nine seconds on the clock with a 3-pointer, to which Loras responded with an immediate timeout
- Demond George took the in-bounds pass from Ryan DiCanio and took it the length of the court, slicing through the Storm defense to the basket for the layup and the lead
- Wasting no time, Simpson immediately put the ball back in play and in the hands of Ben Rajewski, but a foul by Ryan DiCanio prevented Rajewski from tying the game as time expired
- Due to the contact from DiCanio, Rajewski was unable to take his own free-throw and as a result, the Storm's fate rested in the hands of Kyle Wagner … Wagner missed the first and therefore secured the win for Loras

TEAM NOTABLES
- The Duhawks have secured the No. 2 seed in the upcoming Iowa Conference Tournament … There are three spots remaining to be claimed with four teams fighting for them … As it stands, Dubuque needs a win on Saturday to keep their postseason hopes alive
- Loras improved to 11-1 this season at home, with the only loss coming in conference play to Coe
- The Duhawks extended their team records in 3-pointers (289), 3-pointers per game (12.0), 3-pointers attempted (738) and assists (495)
- Loras is 6-2 in games decided by five or fewer points this season

INDIVIDUAL NOTABLES
- Ruggles brought his season scoring total to 533 points and 789 points for his career … His 22.2 points per game ranks seventh in Loras history … He remains in third for 3-pointers in a season with 86
- DiCanio moved into 31st in the Duhawks' all-time scoring list with 1,086 points, passing Les Teeling … With five rebounds, DiCanio would become the 14th player in program history with 1,000 points and 500 rebounds … The last Loras player to reach the 1k/500 club was Mirko Grcic

FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYER OF THE GAME - Josh Ruggles
- Loras leading scorer on the season showed up and took care of business once again, totaling 29 points, six rebounds and three assists … Since his 37-point performance on Nov. 25, Ruggles' season scoring average has been above 20.0, currently at 22.2

UP NEXT
The Duhawks make their way cross town to the University of Dubuque on Saturday, for the conclusion of regular season play. The Spartans defeated Luther on Wednesday, xx-xx. Saturday will feature the top-two scorers in the Iowa Conference in TJ Lake (23.8 ppg) and Josh Ruggles (22.2). Tip-off scheduled for 4 p.m. from inside the Stoltz Sports Center.