DUBUQUE, Iowa – Led by 41 points from fifth-year guard Ali Sabet, the Loras College Duhawks defeated Buena Vista University, 99-77, on Wednesday evening inside of the Lillis Athletic & Wellness Center.

Sabet put on a masterclass in scoring, going 14-for-21 (66.7 percent) from the floor en route to scoring the sixth-most points in a single game in Loras history. His eight three pointers are tied for the fifth-most, matching Matt Uthoff from the 2002-03 season.

Sabet becomes just the fifth 40-point scorer in program history, joining the likes of Josh Ruggles (42 – 2017-18, 43 – 2018-19), Mike Lambe (44 – 1994-95), Chuck Von Feldt (48 – 1967-68), and Chris Jans (49 – 1990-91).

Sabet's 41 points are the second-most scored by any player in the American Rivers Conference this season and is tied for the 11^th-most across any division of the NCAA over the year.

Finishing second in scoring on the night for the Purple and Gold was Tyler Bass, who dropped 13 points and pulled in six rebounds, while dishing out three assists. The junior forward was 6-of-11 (54.5 percent) from the field in 24 minutes of play.

Closing out Duhawks in double-digits was Jack Haynes and Declan Ciurlik, who each finished with 11 points. Haynes went 5-of-7 (71.4 percent) from the field, while Ciurlik was 4-6 (66.7 percent), including 3-of-4 (75 percent) from distance.

The two teams battled back-and-forth over the first eight-plus minutes of action and stood at a 17-all tie with 11:33 to play in the first half. A 13-3 run over the ensuing three minutes opened an eight-point lead (28-20) for Loras with 8:30 to play, but a three from BVU's Michael Santich brought the Beavers within five. From there, Loras would go on a 30-14 run, highlighted by 13 points from Sabet, to close the half up 58-37.

The second half saw the Duhawks (19-3 overall, 10-3 A-R-C) go on a tear over the first eight minutes, shooting 69.2 percent (9-for-13) over that span to open up an 84-54 lead with 11:47 to play in regulation. BVU (11-11, 4-9) began to pick up points late, but Loras' lead proved to be insurmountable.

As a team, the Duhawks shot 48.6 percent (36-for-74) from the field, including 41.9 percent (13-of-31) from downtown. The Duhawks held advantages in rebounding (40-33), points off turnovers (26-16), and second chance points (15-13).

With the win, the Duhawks remain second in the conference standings as the regular season comes to a close finish. Three games separate Loras from entering the A-R-C Tournament on Feb. 20 with the conference's two-seed. 

The Duhawks will return to action on Saturday, Feb. 10 as the team heads to Indianola to face Simpson College for the second time this week. Tip is set for 4 p.m. inside Cowles Fieldhouse.