LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Spalding University men's basketball team defeated the Iowa Wesleyan Tigers, 78-56, Saturday evening. With the win, Spalding improves to 9-12 overall and 7-7 in the conference. Iowa Wesleyan falls to 13-8 overall and 9-5 in the SLIAC.
Senior Brandon Goeing had a game-high 26 points that included shooting 4-of-8 from beyond the three-point line. Dominique Ellis tallied 12 points and seven rebounds, while Nick Trisko added 11 points and nine boards.
Goeing would show the range early as he gave Spalding a 3-2 lead on an absolute bomb from outside. Iowa Wesleyan would quickly regain the lead before two quick Spalding baskets would see the Golden Eagles pull back in front, 7-4. Brock Butler would tie the game back up for the Tigers knocking down a three with a little less than three minutes gone in the game. A 5-0 run would see Spalding gain a 15-9 advantage, but Iowa Wesleyan would keep it close at 15-13 with less than 14 minutes remaining in the half. A 10-2 run by Spalding would see them jump in front 25-15. An 8-0 run led by two Goeing three-pointers would see Spalding hold their largest lead of the game to that point at 33-17. Iowa Wesleyan would answer with an 11-2 run of their own to draw back to within seven with two and half minutes remaining in the half. Spalding would close out the half with a 5-0 run to head into the locker room leading, 40-28.
Spalding would open the second half on a 7-1 run featuring two layups by Ellis. A 6-2 run by Iowa Wesleyan as the Tigers would attempt to keep it close as they trailed 49-35 with four minutes played in the second half. Spalding would erupt with an 11-0 spurt including a three-point field goal by Will Rainey to give Spalding a 25 point lead at 62-37. A 10-2 run by Iowa Wesleyan with two minutes remaining in the game would see them cut the lead down to 74-56. Spalding would score the final two field goals and hold the ball as time expired to claim victory.
Spalding will be back in action this Tuesday, February 9^th taking on Principia College in Derek Smith Gymnasium. Tip-off is set for 8 pm EST.