Free throws doom Reivers on the road

Norfolk, NE -- Eleven for twenty-six, that was what the Iowa Western Reivers shot from the foul line Saturday evening (2/9/19) as they fell short in the final moments to Northeast 80-72 in Norfolk, NE.  Despite the "charity stripe" being far from charitable, Iowa Western clawed back from an 11 point halftime deficit to get the game tied at 72 with 1:40 to play. But following a Northeast three point shot as their shot clock was expiring, and a transition basket quickly thereafter, the Reivers were forced to start fouling and the Hawks held on for the home victory.

Iowa Western was led in scoring by Christian Bentley's 24 point performance. Travon Broadway was the only other Reiver in double figures with 18 points in the contest. Emmanuel Ugboh collected yet another double figure rebounding effort with 13 boards on the night.  Joel Efele led all scorers with 25 points for the homestanding Hawks.

The schedule doesn't get any easier for the Reivers as they return home to play a Sunrise Christian Academy squad that has already beaten the Reivers once before.  Back in the very first game of the season the Buffaloes handed Iowa Western a 87-72 loss in the State Fair Roadrunner Tip-off Classic on 11/2/18.  Sunrise boasts a 10-1 record against junior college teams this season that include Odessa (TX), Putnam Science (NY), New Mexico, State Fair (MO), Clarendon (TX) amongst others. The Buffaloes have already had players committed play next season to Creighton, Michigan State, and Missouri on their roster. 

The rematch between Iowa Western and Sunrise Christian Academy is slated for 6:00pm from Reiver Arena this Wednesday evening (2/13/19).