CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - A late Kohawk run wasn't enough to overcome the Dubuque Spartans Saturday, as they left Eby Fieldhouse with a 63-59 win.  The Kohawks dropped to 0-2 in the Iowa Conference with the loss.
Both teams exchanged baskets in the first eight minutes of the game, before the Spartans made the first big run.  Dubuque went on a 14-3 run to open its largest lead of the game at nine with 8:28 to play in the opening half. 

Coe quickly answered, as they went on a 14-0 run over the next 5:06 to take a five-point lead with 2:58 left in the half.  It would be the largest lead of the game for the Kohawks.   The Spartans scored the final seven points of the opening frame to take a 30-28 lead into the locker rooms.  Sophomore Kevin Gaster (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Jefferson) led the Kohawks with eight points at the break, all coming during the Kohawks 14-0 run.

During the first two minutes of the second half, Dubuque went on a 7-3 run, as they would go on to lead the rest of the game.  Coe would cut the lead to one with :23 to play, but the Spartans were clutch from the free throw line down the stretch, as they scored their final nine points from the charity stripe.

Coe was led by Cass Behrens' (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Mountain Vista) 16 points and nine rebounds.  He also had a game-high five assists.  Junior Dan Borngraeber (Brookfield, Wis./East) added 15 points, while Gaster finished with 10 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

As a team, the Kohawks won the fast break battle 8-0, but were outscored 16-8 off the bench.  Neither team shot well from 3-point range, as they each connected on just one shot from downtown in the second half.  Both hit four for the game, with neither team shooting over 24 percent from 3-point range.

Coe returns to action on Tuesday night, when they travel to Decorah to face Luther.  Tipoff with the Norse is scheduled for 8 p.m.