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FORT DODGE – Effort was the main point of contention for SWCC head coach Blake Peterson after Southwestern’s 97-87 loss to Iowa Central Saturday.
The Spartans allowed 51 points in the first half while scoring just 30 of their own, falling behind the eight-ball early and digging a hole they were unable to climb out of.
“We came out incredibly flat. We weren’t ready to go. We weren’t ready to defend,” said Peterson. “There was no effort in getting back and no effort to run the floor offensively. ... We couldn’t keep anyone in front of us to save our lives.”
Iowa Central was led by Royshawn Webb’s 28 points as well as Kemryn Jenkins’ 24.
The Tritons as a team shot over 53 percent from the field and hit 21 of 25 free throws in the win.
Southwestern responded in the second half with a 57-point output, but it wasn’t enough to climb out of the first half hole.
Gatdoar Kueth led the team in both points and rebounds as his 23 points and 10 boards was enough for a double double.
Peterson is hoping the second half offensive outbreak will carry over to Southwestern’s next road contest Wednesday given the Spartans continual struggles on the road.
“We’ve got to prove that from the get go, on the road, come out and be ready to go,” said Peterson.
Following a loss to Ellsworth earlier in the week, Southwestern now sits in last place in the ICCAC race with a 3-9 conference record.
Three other teams are tied with Southwestern with three conference wins.
The Spartans have just two conference contests left against at home against Iowa Lakes (18-8, 8-3) and on the road at Kirkwood (21-4, 9-2).
“Hopefully Sophomore Day will give us some energy and we have to come out and get a big win and try to steal one at home,” said Peterson. “It’s a good thing for us that we’re at home cause we seem to play a lot better there.”
UP NEXT – Before the Spartans final two conference games, SWCC will travel to Marshalltown (13-14) Wednesday for a 7 p.m. tip. The game was pushed from Tuesday to Wednesday due to weather concerns.
Iowa Central 97, Southwestern 87
SWCC (87) — 30 57
ICCC (97) — 51 46
SWCC (FG FT PTS) — Totals — 32 11-14 87. Gatdoar Kueth 8 4-5 23, Ryan Warren 5 1-2 15, Jordan Doss 5 4-4 14, Chad Moran 5 2-3 12, Noah Persich 4 0-0 10, Willshon Warren 3 0-0 8, Marquas Gafeney 2 0-0 5. 3-point goals — 12 (R. Warren 4, Kueth 3, W. Warren 2, Persich 2, Gafeney 1). Rebounds – 32 (Kueth 10, Doss 7, Moran 5, Gafeney 3, W. Warren 2, Persich 2). Assists – 10 (R. Warren 5, Kueth 2, Trevonte Diggs 2, Moran 1). Steals – 6 (W. Warren 3, Diggs 2, Gafeney 1). Blocks – 6 (Kueth 2, W. Warren 2). Team fouls — 22. Fouled out — Kueth.
ICCC (FG FT PTS) — Totals — 33 21-25 97. Royshawn Webb 11 6-7 28, Kemryn Jenkins 7 7-8 24, Dallas Bailey 5 4-5 15, Jaden Kephart 4 0-0 10, Kane Kramer 3 0-0 9, Aspen La Pointe 2 3-3 8, Jacorian Dalton 1 1-2 3. 3-point goals — 10 (Jenkins 3, Kramer 3, Kephart 2, Bailey 1, La Pointe 1). Rebounds – 43 (Bailey 13, Austin Jarvis 6, Webb 5). Assists – 12 (Bailey 4, Kephart 3, La Pointe 2). Steals – 4 (Webb 2). Team fouls — 12. Fouled out — None.