COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - The Iowa Western men's basketball team lost heartbreakingly to #11 Iowa Lakes Community College in Council Bluffs on Wednesday night in overtime. The Reivers got off to a slow start in the first half, as Iowa Lakes was able to score easy points in transition. Before the halftime break, the Reivers would go on a 10-0 run as the defense tightened up and the offense started clicking. Iowa Western would take a 1-point lead into halftime with a score of 36-35.
The second half started much like the first half with some sloppy offensive play from the Reivers and the Lakers would capitalize and take the lead back in the early going. Midway through the second half DaCarter Coleman connected on a couple of three-pointers which helped the Reivers take a 8-point advantage. Iowa Western would hold onto the lead until the final few minutes. With just a minute and a half remaining Iowa Western led by 8 points, but the Reivers could not come away with a defensive rebound that would essentially end the game. The Lakers nailed a three of their 3rd shot attempt to cut the lead to 5. Iowa Western would go on to miss two free throws in the final minutes, and the Lakers connected on another tough 3-pointer to tie the game in the final 30 seconds.
Iowa Western's Ikenna Ude-Smith got a good look at a game-winning basket in regulation, but the shot fell short. In overtime, the game stayed close, but another late 3-pointer from the Lakers gave them the lead for good. DaCarter Coleman had a chance at the buzzer in overtime, but the shot was no good.
Next up for the Reivers, the team will travel to Des Moines on Saturday for a matchup with #6 DMACC.
