West Burlington, IA -- The Iowa Western men's basketball team opened up conference play on the road Saturday evening (1/12/19) at Southeastern, falling to the Blackhawks 85-72. Both teams entered the contest with mirror overall records at 15-2, and it was both program's first contest of the young conference season.

Southeastern opened up an early double digit lead at the 13:15 mark of the first frame, and from that point it was a catch-up effort all evening for the Reivers who would get within 10 points at the 2:15 mark of the second half, but get no closer as the homestanding Blackhawks finish the game off from the foul line matching the late baskets still being scored at the other end by a Reiver club that continued to compete until the horn sounded.  The win marks the first win against Iowa Western in the last seven contests; ending one of the largest streaks Iowa Western has enjoyed against a Southeastern program that has the most combined wins in NJCAA men's basketball history.

The Reivers were led by Travon Broadway's 26 point effort (including a perfect 12/12 from the free throw line) and Boubacar Diakite's 16 point performance.  Christian Bentley rounded out the double figure Reiver scorers with 12 points. Marquis Collins led the home standing Blackhawks with an 18 point, 7 rebound effort.

Iowa Western returns to conference play this Saturday evening (1/19/19), where they will face the Hawks of Northeast (NE) to open up the home portion of conference play for the Reivers. Tip time is slated for 7:00pm from Reiver Arena.