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21, 2019
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The Lorian
Wins lock in No. 2 seed
Duhawks cruise in regular-season finale by XAVIER SANCHEZ sports writer
The men’s basketball team completed its regular season with wins over Luther and Central. The Duhawks got past Luther in the final seconds, 87-84, and routed Central, 111-80 Wednesday, Loras hosted a “Black Excellence Night” for the men’s and women’s games. The mens team was looking to stay motivated as they watched their female peers defeat Luther and wanted to do the same. Luther jumped on Loras early by starting the game off on a 5-0 run. Loras would eventually take a 22-19 lead on a Josh Ruggles’ three pointer assisted by Jordan Matthews. The two teams continued to play cat-andmouse for last half of the first half until the final two minutes when the Norse closed things on a 7-0 run. Duhawks were very familiar to this setting and quickly got things going in the second half when Demond George splashed a three with only 20 second gone by. Loras battle Luther all the way down to the wire. George gave the Duhawks a one-point lead with 25 second to go. The Duhawks were locking people down on defense on the other end but allowed a lay-up with five second to go. While inbounding the ball, Ruggles is fouled and proceeds to sink the following free throws to regain the lead. Loras was 10 for 10 on free-throws in the final 2:19 to help overcome Luther . Demond George finished with 17 points, four
photo by XAVIER SANCHEZ Senior guard Demond George forces a steal which leads to a fast break and an easy lay-up against last weeks opponent, Luther College. The Black Student Union also celebrated Black History Month at the game with decorations.
rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Special night for George as he also become a member of the 1,000 point club at Loras College. He joins Ruggles and DiCanio as current players in the club. Saturday, the team got on the bus and head southwest to battle Central College in their final regular season game. Loras played a tight game early, often trading baskets with Central. Loras lead at the half 52-
45. Duhawks came out in full force in the second half as they opened a 16-point lead in the first five minutes. They would stretch it to 34 points at one point but ended up defeating Central 111-80. Josh Ruggles and Ryan Dicanio with 20+ points apiece in the victory. The team finished the year 20-5 with a conference record of 12-4. Coach Martin and the team had a season of ups-and-
downs but was highlighted by flashes of greatness with wins over Augustana and a number one ranked Nebraska-Wesleyan. The season is not quite over as they take on the winner of (3) Wartburg College and (6) University of Dubuque at home at 8 p.m. in the American Rivers Conference Tournament. Loras a combined 1-3 against both teams with all games being within five points..
Looking forward to Nationals
Wrestling team is No. 8 in nation; several Duhawks also are highly ranked spite having lost to a decision of 4-0. In the meet with Dubuque, Smith’s match against Zarik Anderson was pretty much Coming up on Saturday, Feb. 23 and one sided with Smith winning through a Sunday, Feb. 24, the Loras wrestling team major decision of 14-2. With these two is competing in the NCAA Central Rematches in mind, Smith will undoubtedgional Tournament at Five Flags Center ly compete well, having had an incredibly in Dubuque. close match with a wrestler four ranks In preparation for the event, let’s take higher than he is. a look at some of our nationally ranked Last, but certainly not least, is junior wrestlers’ previous matches and predict Guy Patron Jr., who is currently ranked how they’ll perform. number two in the 197 weight category. First up is junior Brice Everson. EverIn the Wartburg meet, Patron Jr. faced son, who participates at the 133 weight off against Kobe Woods, who is currentclass, is currently ranked number five ly number eight in the rankings. Being nationally. Looking at the meet with the higher ranked wrestler in the match, Wartburg, Everson was pitted against the Patron Jr. asserted his dominance over currently ranked number three Brock Woods, soundly defeating him with Rathbun. It was a somewhat close match a major decision win of 10-2. Against between the two, but Everson was sucDubuque, Patron Jr. annihilated Terrin cessful, defeating Rathbun through a Rachouski by winning with a fall at time decision win of 8-3. In the meet before 1:56 of the match. It’s safe to say that that, Everson triumphed over University photo by JON QUINN Patron Jr., being ranked number two, is of Dubuque’s Richard Diaz, obtaining a Junior wrestler Brice Everson waves to the cheering crowd after defeating his Wartburg going to be competing just as well as his win by technical fall with the score 18-0 opponent Feb. 8. fellow Duhawks. than Cross Cannone, the number one ranked wrestler in the at time 3:53 of the match. It’s safe to say After looking back at some previous matches these nationthat Everson is going to compete well during the tournament, division. For having to compete against the highest ranked since he was able to upset a player ranked higher than he was. wrestler, he put up a good fight, but was unable to overcome ally ranked Duhawk wrestlers had, it’s obvious that Loras ColIn the 141 weight class, we have junior Clint Lembeck who his opponent, losing through a decision of 8-3. Against lege is going to be represented well during the NCAA Central is also ranked number five. In the Wartburg match, Lembeck Dubuque, Murray crushed Andrew Saucedo, getting a win Regional Tournament. The wrestling team will undoubtedly won over ranked number six Brady Fritz through a fall at time by fall at time 2:02. Murray had a difficult match during the make it far in the tournament, and hopefully they will claim 5:10 of the match. In the match against Dubuque, a techni- Wartburg meet, but he didn’t lose by very much. As long as some of the champion titles. Wish the wrestlers luck, and cal fall with the score of 19-2 at 3:18 gave him the win over he continues to fight, Murray is sure to make his way up to support these fellow Duhawks as they prepare for this large tournament. Nick Meyer. Much like Everson, Lembeck competed very well the final rounds of the tournament. “I’m excited to see the guys accomplish their goals,” said Ranked number eight in the 165 weight class is junior Edagainst his opponents, and should do just as well over the die Smith. Much like Murray, Smith had a difficult match, Head Coach TJ Miller. “I don’t have any pin point goals for weekend. Up next is junior Brandon Murray, who is ranked number having to wrestle Wartburg’s higher ranked Mike Ross, who them besides making sure that everyone is ready to wrestle five in the 157 weight class. Murray had a tough matchup is currently number four in the division. Despite the gap tough for seven minutes. We do that, and we’ll have a great in the meet against Wartburg. His opponent was none other between their rankings, Smith put up an excellent fight, de- weekend.” by CONNOR HALBMAIER sports writer
