Tim Calderwood, Sports Information Director
DUBUQUE, Iowa - Playing in their first game since January 14, the Loras College men's basketball team shook off a feisty Cornell College team to earn their 11th consecutive victory by a score of 64-58 at the Fieldhouse on Tuesday night. The Duhawks were without the services of all-conference senior Greg King, who sat out with an injured ankle. The contest was the eighth in a row that was decided by less than 10 points.
Cornell led 29-25 at the break, and built a 34-27 edge with 17:09 to play. Loras took their first lead since just after the halfway point of the first half when Scottie Braden converted on the first of back-to-back three-pointers with 8:59 to play to give the Duhawks a 43-41 lead.
The Duhawks never trailed the rest of the way as they led by seven on five different occasions, each time with Cornell clawing back to within striking distance. The Rams trailed by two 53-51 after a pair of free throws by Griffin LaDew with 2:01 to play, and had a chance to tie it at the line following a turnover, but Jeff Ecker couldn't convert on the one-in-one.
Luke Slater led three Loras players in double figures with 16 points. Kyle White added 11 and Scottie Braden 10. Brian Centella added nine points, seven of which came at the free throw line in the game's final minute. White also snagged a game best eight rebounds as the Duhawks held a 36-23 edge on the glass. Bobby Stineman added five assists.
The Duhawks shot 53.8 percent from the floor in the second half and finished the contest shooting at a 47.2 percent clip.
Cornell (2-14, 1-6) was led by Griffin LaDew's game best 20 points. Jeff Ecker added 10 to lead the upset minded Rams, who topped Luther over the weekend and took Coe to the wire earlier this season.
Coupled with Coe's loss at Buena Vista, Loras (13-3, 6-1) is now in a first place tie with Wartburg atop the Iowa Conference standings. The Duhawks return to action on Friday night as they travel to meet Coe in Cedar Rapids. The game tips off at 8:00 pm and will be broadcast live on News Talk 1490-WDBQ and also on the web.