Council Bluffs, IA -- When comparing the two "common opponents" that both Iowa Western and Penn Valley (MO) had played previously this season one thing seemed clear; the Tuesday night match-up had potential to be a closely contested game. In those two common games, the Reivers and Scouts both beat Kansas City Kansas in convincing fashion (IW won 100-42, PV won 102-70), and both fell to MSU-West Plains in close contests where both teams had leads midway through the second half against the Grizzlies (IW lost 85-99, and PV lost 102-106). With that backdrop, the game Tuesday did not disappoint as Iowa Western held on for a 86-83 victory to collect it's ninth win in ten contests this season.
The #20 Reivers were able to control the pace of the contest most of the way and held the high scoring Scouts to 14 points under their season average of 97 ppg; primarily with their first half defense that held Penn Valley to just 32 points in the game's first 20 minutes. Penn Valley opened the second half with a mini 5-0 run to reclaim the lead with 18:25 to go in the game; but following an immediate Iowa Western basket the visiting Scouts from Kansas City, MO would never again lead the contest. The Reivers would stretch their lead out to 12 points midway through the second frame and for the most part kept Penn Valley at arms length. That "arm's length" would get shorter and shorter however, as Penn Valley began to chip away at the Reiver lead down the stretch. Iowa Western was able to finish the game off with crucial 8/10 shooting from the foul line in the games closing moments. Penn Valley however still would get within two points and possession the ball with 17 seconds remaining. In that critical possession as the Scouts looked to tie or take the lead, Isaiah Wade grew a charge and the Reivers made one of two free throws for the games' final margin.
Iowa Western was led by Patrick Dembley's season high 32 point effort. The sophomore from Minneapolis; often a three point shooting scorer, shifted gears midway through the second half and gutted the Scout defense with strong finishing drives producing either baskets or free throw opportunities, connecting on an amazing 11/12 shots from the charity stripe. Isaiah Wade produced a strong double-double effort with an 11 point - 13 rebound game. Jevon Smith was one rebound away from a double-double of his own, scoring 10 points and recording 9 rebounds. Decardo Day scored 11 points to round off the double figure scorers for the Reivers. Penn Valley was paced by Thomas Bell's 23 point - 10 rebound double-double effort and Roy Meekie added 18 points for the Scouts.
Iowa Western returns to action this weekend at Reiver Arena with a strong field of teams in the Iowa Western Basketball Classic both this Friday (12/1) and Saturday (12/2). Individual team win-loss records entering this weekend's event are: Iowa Western (9-1), Northwest Kansas Tech (9-2), State Fair (8-2), and Sunrise Christian (8-2). Games times of the classic are: Friday 5:00pm State Fair (MO) vs Northwest Kansas Tech, 7:00pm Iowa Western vs Sunrise Christian Academy (KS); Saturday 5:00pm State Fair (MO) vs Sunrise Christian Academy (KS), 7:00pm Iowa Western vs Northwest Kansas Tech.
