STORM LAKE, Iowa - The Loras College men's basketball team came up short against Buena Vista University, 65-62, in the regular season finale inside Siebens Fieldhouse on Saturday afternoon.

The first half set the tone for a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and defensive stops. Loras (18-7 overall, 12-4 A-R-C) and Buena Vista (14-11, 7-9) went into the locker room knotted at 26-26 at the half. 

Despite the Duhawks trimming the deficit late and cutting the lead to just one possession, the Beavers made critical plays down the stretch to secure the win.

Gavin Sarvis led all scorers with 20 points, going 5-of-9 from the field and 9-of-10 from the foul line. Jack Haynes added 16 points and 15 rebounds in a double-double performance, while Nolan Berendes chipped in 13 points. As a team, the Purple and Gold shot 35.7 percent (20-of-56) from the floor and 81.8 percent (18-of-22) from the charity stripe.

Jackson Jones and Carter Sievers paced the Buena Vista offense with 17 points apiece. Jones was efficient from beyond the arc, hitting multiple threes, and Sievers dominated at the line with 8-of-9 free throws. The Beavers shot 34.5 percent (19-of-55) from the field and 84.0 percent (21-of-25) from the free throw line. 

Up Next: The Duhawks have secured the two-seed in the American Rivers Conference Tournament next week. They will face the winner of the quarterfinal game between No. 3 Coe College and No. 6 Wartburg College on Thursday, Feb. 26. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m. from Lillis Court.