Reivers collect opening night win

Council Bluffs, IA -- The Iowa Western men's basketball team collected a 111-85 victory in Kanesville Arena on the campus of Iowa Western to open up the 2017-18 season slate. 

The Reivers, ranked 20th in the most recent NJCAA national poll, saw 12 of it's 15 member team score, and all 15 seeing game action to open up the new season's campaign.  Iowa Western was led by Boise State University commit Pat Dembley's 26 point, 5 assist effort; but it was the entire team sharing the ball that was equally significant.  The Reivers had 20 assists on their 43 field goals made, and in a contest that saw them shoot 70 shots and 26 free throws; only turned it over 9 times.

Three Reivers scored in double figures including returners Jevon Smith's 15 points, Isaiah Wade's 12 points, and the aforementioned Dembley.  However, the entire team contributed to a night in which the Reivers shot a blistering 61% from the floor. Transfers Decardo Day (Southern Utah University) , and Shadeed Shabazz (Cochise JC) both dished out 4 assists to go along with each contributing 7 points a piece. Incoming freshmen Rhyss Lewis, Emmanuel Ugboh, and Tony Chukwuemeke all chipped in 8 points a piece; representing the balanced attacked shown all evening by the home-standing squad.

Concordia was paced by Matteo Busnardo's 15 points and Ryan Holt's 14 points in the losing effort for the visiting Bulldogs from Seward, NE.

Iowa Western returns to the floor quickly with two games in the next three days as part of the State Fair Roadrunner Classic in Sedalia, MO this Friday (11/3) and Saturday (11/4).