CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The University of Dubuque defeated Coe College (78-75) on Wednesday, February 19 to claim the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) regular season title. This is Dubuque’s first regular season title since 2022. The Spartans will conclude their regular season at home on Saturday, February 22 when they host crosstown rival, Loras College.
The Spartans traveled to Cedar Rapids knowing they owned at least a share of the conference title after clinching that on Saturday when they picked up a win over Central and Nebraska Wesleyan fell to Coe. This evening’s win guarantees Dubuque the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament that is slated to begin on Tuesday, February 25.
Dubuque sits 13-2 in conference action and 19-5 overall.
In a back and forth game in Cedar Rapids this evening, the Spartans surged in the final minutes to pull out the victory on the road even with a final second scare by the Kohawks. Jacob Williams led the Spartans with 27 points followed by Grady Thompson with 16 points.
Dubuque, with a first-round bye in the six-team conference tournament, will not play in the tournament until Thursday, February 27 when they host the semifinal round. The A-R-C Championship game will be played on Saturday, March 1 at the highest seed remaining in the tournament. The tournament champion will earn an automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Tournament. In last year’s NCAA Tournament, the league saw four teams in the bracket.
The final seeds are still up for grabs in the A-R-C Men’s Basketball Tournament and the final bracket will be announced following the completion of the regular season on February 22.
About the American Rivers Conference
The Conference dates back to December 8, 1922, when representatives from 12 colleges got together and formed the "Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Association." Honoring its heritage in Iowa and its expansion outside the state, the American Rivers Conference brand was established on August 9, 2018, to build on the academic and athletic success provided by its legacy, the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The A-R-C has nine full-time members: Buena Vista University, Central College, Coe College, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Luther College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Simpson College, and Wartburg College.
