The University of Dubuque men's basketball finally broke the string of losses to the powerhouse from Buena Vista University on Saturday afternoon at home in front of a boisterous crowd in McCormick Gymnasium by a score of 86-85 in overtime.
Coach Marty McDermott may have needed some oxygen on the sideline at the end of regulation as the Spartans tried desperately to hold onto a late lead. Under three minutes to go in the the game, UD held a five point margin over the visiting Beavers. BV connected for the trifecta around the two minute mark to slice the lead to just a pair, 72-70. A missed three pointer by Tyler Daugherty and a missed lay-up by Shane Mangrich in the final minute made the contest interesting to the many fans in attendance.
The Beavers would drive and score on a lay-up to knot the game at 72-72. Daugherty would be forced into a off-balance shot as time on the clock randown with 10 seconds to go. The Beavers rebounded only to drive and miss a jumper with two seconds left on the clock. UD rebounded and the clock ran out, forcing an overtime, the second in consecutive contests.
In overtime, UD would lead by as much as seven points with 39 seconds to go, only to have the Beavers naw their way back into the game, forcing turnovers against the Spartans. UD would miss five free throws in the final minute of play, but BV would miss two lay-ups in the final 22 seconds to hand the win to the Spartans by a score of 86-85, their first win against the Beavers since January 18, 1997. UD swept Buena Vista in 1996, a decade ago, by winning in Storm Lake 72-71 and at home by a score of 65-61.
Four Spartans entered the double digit in scoring with Nick Thomas leading all scorers with 23 points and eight rebounds. Luke Stotmeister continued his consecutive games of double-doubles by adding 18 points and 11 rebounds in 39 minutes of action. Tyler Daugherty finished with 16 points while teammate Shane Mangrich, added 14 points in his first start of the season for UD.
UD will be on the road next week as they continue Iowa Conference play at Wartburg on Jan. 27 and at Coe on Jan. 28.