Sedalia, MO -- The Iowa Western men's basketball team finished the first week of the 2017-18 season with a 73-48 victory over the Missouri Valley College JV.
Iowa Western for the third time in as many games played all 15 Reivers getting everyone on the roster valuable early season game experience. For the second day of the two game State Fair Roadrunner Tip-Off Classic, four Reivers ended up in double figures. Patrick Dembley score a game high 20, while fellow sophomores Decardo Day (13), Jevon Smith (11), and Isaiah Wade (10) also scored in double figures for the 20th ranked team from Council Bluffs. Wade also contributed a team high in rebounds (9) and assists (4).
Missouri Valley who just a night earlier only trailed the home-standing State Fair Roadrunners at the half 40-39, ran out of gas. For the second straight night Iowa Western held their opponents to under 32% shooting from the floor, as the Vikings only shot 26% (18/69) from the field. Amazingly the Reivers also held their opponent to under 7% from three point range for the second straight night as Missouri Valley was only able to connect on 1/17 (5%) from behind the arch. For the weekend Iowa Western's opponents shot a combined 2/33 from the three point arch.
Iowa Western moves to 3-0 on the young season, but is well aware the level of competition will take a significant spike upward next week. The Reivers will host the Holiday Inn / Hampton Inn Classic this Friday (11/10) and Saturday (11/11) nights against quality NJCAA foes.
The Reivers will open the classic against Missouri State University - West Plains Friday in a series that has produced quality action over the past 10 seasons. MSU-West Pains had a very impressive opening weekend; having beaten Southeastern Illinois 107-70, and Pratt (KS) 108-88. Saturday night, the men will turn their attention to a Labette program out of the Kansas Jayhawk league that has also gotten off to a 2-0 start with wins over Oklahoma Wesleyan and Allen County (KS).
Tip off times are both slated for 7:00pm CST from Kanesville Arena.
