Duhawks to face Spartans in IIAC tilt tonight
Jon Denham, Sports Information Director

The Loras College women's basketball team will host the University of Dubuque Spartans tonight in an opening round game in the Iowa Conference women's basketball tournament. The Duhawks enter the game as the #4 seed (9-7 in IIAC) and the Spartans are the #5 seed (7-9 in IIAC).

During the regular season these two teams split their matchups, with each team winning the road contest. In the first game, a Loras win in December of 2007, the teams combined to shoot 50% from the field. Loras made more 3's (7-2) but fewer free throws (12-14 compared to 18-26 by Dubuque). In the second game, Dubuque won both categories (5-3 in 3's, 22 made free throws to nine by Loras). The teams also combined to commit 30 fouls in each game, resulting in an average of 39.5 free throw attempts. Dubuque won the rebounding battle in both games, an average of +7.5. The Spartans also won the turnover battle by slim margin in each game, +1.5 in that category.

Natalie Pucci averaged 22 points per game to lead the way for Loras. Jennifer Bell put in a consistent 19 and 20 points in the two games.

Head coaches Justin Heinzen and Mark Noll will be patroling the sidelines for their first IIAC Tournament games.

Tipoff is 7:00 PM in the Athletics & Wellness Center. The winner will travel to Indianola to take on #1 Simpson College on Thursday night.