Box Score DUBUQUE, Iowa – Despite shooting just 33.9 percent from the field, the No. 23 Loras College Duhawks outlasted the University of Dubuque, 58-56, on Wednesday night inside the Stoltz Sports Center.
The Duhawks (13-2 overall, 5-1 American Rivers Conference) survived a slow-paced game that came down the final shot. The Spartans (10-6, 4-4) fired off a final three-point heave for the win, but it bounced off the rim as time expired.
Loras made just 21-of-62 shots for the game, including 6-of-23 (26.1 percent) from beyond the arc. Dubuque was 21-of-53 from the floor (39.6 percent), while shooting 4-of-14 from three.
Sami Martin paced the Purple and Gold with her second-straight double-double, finishing with a team-high 19 points and 11 rebounds. The Platteville, Wis. native shot 7-for-15 (46.7 percent) from the floor, while going 4-for-6 from the free throw line.
Madison Haslow was the only other Duhawk to notch double-digit points as the fifth-year senior scored 10 points in 30 minutes of action while hauling in seven rebounds.
After trailing in the first quarter (15-14), Loras held UD to single digits (9 points) in the second frame to hold a 27-24 advantage at the half.
Both teams saved their best play for the third quarter, as the Duhawks went 7-of-16 (43.8 percent) from the floor en route to 17 points compared to 7-of-12 (58.3 percent) shooting from the Spartans.
Haslow hit a three pointer on Loras' first possession of the fourth quarter to put the Duhawks up five (47-42), but a quick 8-2 run by Dubuque over the ensuing three minutes would turn the tables and put Loras behind, 50-49.
Both teams battled over the final moments, with things coming to a standstill at 54-54 with 54 seconds to play. A free throw by Martin broke the tie before UD began to intentionally foul. Haslow knocked down back-to-back free throws to put Loras up three (57-54) with 13 seconds left in regulation, but a quick driving layup by UD's Morgan Hawkins on the next possession cut the lead to one.
After being fouled with five seconds to play, Martin converted on a free throw to put Loras up two before the final shot attempt.
Loras will take its 10 game win streak and return to the court next Wednesday, Jan. 24 as they welcome in the Coe College Kohawks. Tip is set for 5:30 p.m. inside the Lillis Athletic & Wellness Center.
