Contact: Emily Adlfinger, Director of Athletic Communications, 563-588-7970

Jan. 4, 2020 – In a rematch of the 2019 American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) Tournament Championship, the Loras College men's basketball team (10-3, 3-1 A-R-C) put forth a valiant second half comeback against A-R-C rival Nebraska Wesleyan University (11-2, 4-0 A-R-C) on Saturday evening, but fell just short as the No. 8-ranked Prairie Wolves' rallied behind the league's leading scorer to mount a 99-85 victory against the Duhawks.

The Prairie Wolves opened the game with a three-pointer from the A-R-C's No. 1 scorer Nate Schimonitz, but Matt Dacy-Seijo tied it up with a three-pointer of his own off a pass form Rowan McGowen. Nebraska Wesleyan scored on the next possession to lead 6-3 before Jordan Matthews kept the score tight with a fast break layup off a steal to cut the lead to one. The Prairie Wolves held control throughout the first half thanks to 17 points from Schimonitz and went into the locker room with a 51-38 advantage.

JT Ford brought the energy for the Duhawks to open the second half, scoring in the opening minute to spark a layup by Jordan Matthews and another from Ford before McGowen hit a jumper on an 8-0 run with 17:37 left to play. A layup by Clay Reimers halted Loras' progress and the Prairie Wolves again ran the tempo for the remainder of the game. The Duhawks kept Nebraska Wesleyan within sight, scoring 47 points in the second half to the Prairie Wolves' 48 points, but the Prairie Wolves' first half lead proved too much to overcome as the Duhawks moved to 3-1 in A-R-C play.

Jordan Boyd scored a team-high 22 points, three blocked shots and eight rebounds, while Ford tallied 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Loras had four players score in double figures as McGowen added 13 points and Cole Navigato tallied 16 points. Schimonitz led all players with 32 points.

The Duhawks continue A-R-C play and return to Lillis Court on Wednesday, Jan. 8 to host Buena Vista University. Tip-off is set for 7:30 P.M.