Reivers open up 2018-19 home slate with dominant performance

Emmanuel Ugboh and his "new" Iowa Western teammates rolled to a 100-76 victory over NIACC Tuesday evening (11/6/18) at Reiver Arena.
Emmanuel Ugboh and his "new" Iowa Western teammates rolled to a 100-76 victory over NIACC Tuesday evening (11/6/18) at Reiver Arena.

Council Bluffs, IA -- Twelve members of the Iowa Western men's basketball program played their first official home contest Tuesday evening (11/7/18), as returner Emmanuel Ugboh and Isaiah Humphrey were the only Reivers to have played a game on the Reivers' home hardwood last season.  The "new" ballclub didn't take long to get comfortable with their surroundings as the Reivers opened the home portion of their 2018-19 season schedule with a dominant performance in a 100-76 victory over visiting North Iowa Area.

The win marked the second straight game that Iowa Western reached the century mark, following a 105-55 victory at the State Fair Tip-Off Classic.

All thirteen Reivers that suited up for the contest Tuesday saw action, and twelve of those thirteen would ultimately score in the contest; led by Travon Broadway's 22 point effort on a very efficient 8/10 shooting form the floor. Four Reivers scored in double figures, along with Broadway were: Parker Hazen (16), Emmanuel Ugboh (13), and Willard Anderson (11). Hazen collected a double-double as well; along with his 16 points, the 6'8 forward also grabbed a game high 13 rebounds.

The Reivers showed a staunch defense in the game's opening moments and never let up in the first half.  When Willard Anderson's three point basket from the corner found the bottom of the net at the buzzer; the Reivers led 54-23 at intermission. Iowa Western ultimately forced 20 Trojan turnovers, and never looked back on their way to the 100-76 win over the squad from Mason City, IA.

Up next for the Reivers are a pair of home contests this weekend at Reiver Arena.  Iowa Western will take on Des Moines Area (IA) on Friday (11/9/18) and Dakota College - Bottineau (ND) on Saturday (11/1018) as part of the Holiday Inn Hampton Inn Reiver Classic. Both games are slated to begin at 7:00pm CST.