Courtesy of The Daily Nonpareil 

PARK HILLS, MO. – When Iowa Western's women's basketball team built a 14-point lead in the first half Wednesday night, it looked like the game would be business as usual.

It didn't turn out that way.

The Reivers ended up needing two free throws from Kiara Dallmann with 15 seconds left to ice a 59-56 win over Mineral Area.

Reiver coach Lindsey Vande Hoef said Mineral Area chipped away at the Reivers' lead during a wild second half. At one point, the Reivers' Binta Salawu made a half court shot as the shot clock was winding down. By the one-minute mark, IWCC's lead was down to two.

Then, the Reivers' De'Ayra Davis was fouled and had to leave the game. Substitute Zhan'e Williams made one of two free throws.

Mineral Area answered with a put back to cut it to 1, then Dallmann hit her free throws to ice it. "What you want is to be in these late-game situations and see what your team is made up of," Vande Hoef said.

Aubriana Noti led Iowa Western with 17 points and 14 rebounds, and Dallmann had 13 points and 13 boards.

Iowa Western (11-7) 16 15 14 14–59

Mineral Area 11 6 23 16–56

IW: Zhan'e Williams 4, De'Ayra Davis 10, Sommer Blakemore 12, Binta Salawu 3, Aubriana Noti 17, Kiara Dallmann 13.

The Reivers are back on their home court this Saturday, January 12th at 2:00 p.m. against NIACC. The game will host a special halftime performance from the Golden Gems senior basketball team as well as a fundraiser coordinated by Mary Sue Wickman. See you there, Reiver Nation!