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

Jan. 19, 2022 –The Loras College men's basketball team (11-5, 3-4 A-R-C) demonstrated resiliency to erase a 12-point first half deficit and post a 48-point second half performance against Wartburg College (14-3, 7-1 A-R-C) on Wednesday night but the Duhawks came up short in their comeback quest, falling 86-83 to the Knights.

A three-pointer by Jake Healy gave the Duhawks a 3-2 lead to start the game but the Knights went on a 16-2 run over the next five minutes to pull ahead 18-5 with 14:19 left in the half. Myles Barry found an open Declan Ciurlik for the three-pointer to stop Wartburg's run but the Knights came right back and took a 22-8 lead with 11 minutes on the clock. Cole Navigato found space in the paint for a layup on the next possession and drew the foul for a three-point play and Healy added another three-pointer, cutting Wartburg's lead 25-14. The Knights continued to add to their lead, pulling ahead by as much as 39-18 with seven minutes to play but a pair of free throws and a layup by Ali Sabet followed by a dunk by Navigato and two more free-throws by Griffen Clark helped Loras cut into the lead with five minutes left. Both teams traded points as the half came to a close but the Knights had built enough of a lead early to hold on for a 47-35 advantage heading into the break.

Just as he started the game, Healy helped the Duhawks come out of the locker room with a three-pointer but Wartburg continued to stay in their groove with six unanswered points to take back a 55-38 lead. Another three-pointer by Healy stopped the run and with ten minutes left in the game, Ciurlik drained a three and knocked down two free throws that kickstarted a Duhawk surge and made it a ten- point game, trailing 71-61. The Duhawks used their discipline at the free-throw line in the final five minutes to come within two points with 2:46 remaining and Rowan McGowen put Loras on top with a three-pointer off the assist by Barry to lead 79-78. The Knights, however, were also having a good night at the line and hit a pair to pull ahead by two before going on a 5-2 run to lead by five with under a minute to play. McGowen continued to battle and hit a layup in the final 30 seconds to make it a three-point game but the Knights' defense held off a final effort for the Duhawks to tie it as time expired.

Healy and Ciurlik both scored 16 points, headlined by Healy shooting 4-6 from downtown. McGowen recorded his first double-double of the season and third of his career with 14 points and ten boards. Navigato scored 13 points with a team-high seven free-throws while Sabet and Barry dished out three assists each. The Duhawks out-rebounded Wartburg 43-33 and shot 82 percent from the line but the Knights held the advantage with 56 percent shooting from the field and 42 percent from three-point range.

The Duhawks continue A-R-C action on Saturday, Jan. 22, hosting Buena Vista University. Tip-off inside the Patrick J. Lillis Athletic and Wellness Center is set for 4 PM.