KENOSHA, WISCONSIN - The University of Dubuque Men's Basketball team advanced to the Championship Game of the Carthage College Classic on Friday night with a 79-76 victory against Benedictine (Ill.). Spartans senior Mitch Michaelis (LeClaire, Iowa/Pleasant Valley) became the 20th Men's Basketball player with 1,000 Career Points with 14 first half points. The second half was all Andre Norris (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield Central) as he scored 20 of his career high 27 points in the final 20 minutes. Dubuque moved to 4-0 on the year. 

The Spartans took control of the game at the 10:39 mark of the second half as UD went on a 17-4 run over the next seven minutes. The run started and finished with Gage Heffernan (Dubuque, Iowa/Hempstead) going 2-2 from the free throw line. In between, Norris scored six of his 20 second half points.  Heffernan finished with eight points (8-8 from the free throw line) and five rebounds.

The Spartans trailed Benedictine 36-32 at the half before Norris scored eight points in the first five minutes of the second half with four free throws, a layup, and a dunk. Norris scored a game high 27 points on 10-14 shooting from the field and pulled down nine rebounds in 28 minutes of action. 

Brandon Ferguson (Gurnee, Ill./Warren Township) continued his strong play off the bench with 12 points and eight rebounds in 20 minutes. 

Michaelis finished the first half 4-4 from three-point range while scoring 14 points. His three-pointer with 1:26 left in the half pushed his career point total to 1,001 becoming the 20th Spartans to hit the 1,000 point milestone. 

UD finished with a 18-9 advantage in points off turnovers and outscored Benedictine 36-22 on points in the paint. The game had a dramatic ending with Benedictine hitting a three with two seconds left to pull within three. The Eagles then stole in inbound pass near midcourt and launched a three at the buzzer that nearly went in. 

UP NEXT: The Spartans will play in the Championship Game of the Carthage Classic on Saturday, November 23rd at 3:00 pm versus the hosts from Carthage. 
LIVE Video is available at: UD-Carthage Video
LIVE Stats at: UD-Carthage Stats

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