CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The University of Dubuque Spartans (21-6, 14-2 A-R-C) defeated Buena Vista University (15-12, 11-5 A-R-C) 71 - 52 en route to the program's third American Rivers Conference Men's Basketball Automatic Qualifier Tournament title.

The Spartans earned the conference’s automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Championship that begins next weekend. The 64-team field will be announced Monday, February 28 at 12:30 p.m. (ET) on NCAA.com. Going into todays’ championship game, Dubuque ranked seventh in Region IX. 

Dubuque had three players reach double digit figures, lead by Peter Ragen who tallied a double-double on 15 points and 14 rebounds. Brock Simon recorded 14 points, followed by Josh Hammer with 10. Additionally, Regen went a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line. 

The Spartans shot 38.6% (22-57) from the field, 29.6% (8-27) from 3-point, and 73.1% (19-26) from the free throw line. 

Head coach Robbie Sieverding has now guided the UD men's basketball program to three of of their seven NCAA Tournament berths and first since 2015. 

Buena Vista was lead on the offensive end by Zane Neubaum, who scored 12 points. Jake Thompson and Michael Santich also reached double digits with 11 and 10 points respectively. On the boards it was Garrett Sittner pacing BVU. 

The Beavers finished the night 17-of-53 (32.1%) from the field, 5-of-23 (21.7%) from 3-point range, and 13-of-65 (81.3%) from the free throw line. 

Buena Vista advanced to this year's title game for the 12th time in program history and for the second time in as many years.