CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Coe College men's basketball team picked up a 76-74 victory over Loras College on Tuesday evening in the team's American Rivers Conference opener. The game featured a rematch from last year's conference tournament tile matchup and did not disappoint, offering back-and-forth action throughout. Loras had the stronger start, outscoring Coe 42-39 in the first half as the Duhawks shot 53 percent in the period. The Kohawks rose to the challenge in the second half despite falling behind eight early in the frame. Coe battled back and drew level midway through the half at 61-61. Both teams traded blows over the final few minutes but a go-ahead bucket from
Bennett Sherry gave Coe a one-point lead with 30 seconds to play. Sherry came up clutch on the following possession, blocking a mid-range jumper before corralling the loose ball. He put his team up two moments later with a free throw, setting the stage for one final possession.
TJ Schnurr iced the game in the final seconds for Coe on the defensive end, blocking a last-ditch jumper from the Duhawks as the clock expired.
Cael Schmitt was Coe's leading scorer in the victory, posting 17 points with three boards and an assist. Sherry and Schnurr were right behind, also hitting double-figures with 15 and 10 respectively.
COE 76 - LORAS 74
GAME FACTS
- Coe and Loras went toe-to-toe early on, trading baskets over the opening five minutes. The Duhawks grabbed momentum first with a quick 7-0 outburst, taking a 19-10 lead at the 13:09 mark. The Kohawks momentarily slowed the run with four in a row but Loras stayed hot and took a 10-point lead thanks to five unanswered points. Coe hung tough over the final 10 minutes of the first half, getting within one possession with just under two minutes remaining. The Duhawks were on top early in the second, scoring the first five points of the half all from the charity stripe. Coe slowly cut into the deficit with solid offense and defensive stops, pulling within three with 13:39 to play. The Kohawks tied the game less than two minutes later, knotting the score at 61 with an old-school 3-point play from John Steffen. Neither team managed to separate from one another over the closing stretch of the game, exchanging leads along the way. The Kohawks trailed by five late on but flipped the scoreboard with back-to-back 3s from Schmitt and Brady Klahn, grabbing a one-point lead with under five remaining. Again, the teams went back and forth in the final moments however two free throws out Loras up one with 51 seconds left. Sherry converted and gave the lead back to Coe following a timeout, finishing near the bucket to make it 75-74. Sherry stepped up again on the next defensive possession, swatting away a shot attempt and corralling the board. Sherry went 1-of-2 at the line moments later which proved to be enough as Schnurr came up with a game-clinching block in the dying moments.
Up next: Coe stays at home for its next game, hosting Edgewood College on Saturday, November 25 at 3 PM.
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