COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - Iowa Western men's basketball suffered their first home loss of the season on Tuesday to the Highland Community College Scotties by the score of 57-54. In a defensive battle where both teams struggled to find any offensive rhythm, the Scotties jumped out to an early lead. The Reivers struggled to establish any flow on the offensive end and had costly turnovers throughout the game. The Reivers were without their leading scorer and rebounder as Ikenna Ude-Smith was sidelined with an injury. As bad as they played in the first half, the Reivers found themselves just down by one point at halftime with a score of 27 to 26.
In the second half, the Reivers showed improvement and grabbed the lead midway through the half. Iowa Western would take the lead up to as many as 6 points, but then the turnovers crept back in and the Scotties were able to tighten the game. The Reivers held a 1-point advantage in the final minute and Devon Junghans had a good look at a corner 3-pointer, but the shot was off the mark and a flop technical was called giving the Scotties a free-throw to tie the game with 37 seconds remaining and the Scotties received possession of the ball.
Highland would get fouled on the ensuing possession and converted on both free throws to take the lead. Iowa Western's attempt to tie or take the lead was unsuccessful and the Scotties came away with a win.
Jadon Cool led the Reivers in scoring with 16 points on 4 of 8 from the 3-point line and added 6 rebounds. Emion Galloway was the only other Reiver in double figures with 11 points.
The Reivers are now 5-4 on the season with their next game on the road at Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City on November 28th at 7:00 pm.
