With 4:15 left in the fourth quarter, and the JV Dux holding a two-point lead over the visiting Unity Christian Crusaders, Kylan Arnold ('22) drove the ball, drew defenders, and kicked to an open Trevor Wallar ('23) in the corner for three. Wallar's shot hit nothing but net, providing the Dux with a lead that they would sustain until the final buzzer, winning 43-36 to move their record to 14-3 (10-1). 

"Trevor's three was the shot of the game," Coach Ray said. "He has been making huge plays for us all year. He may be a freshman, but he has been playing like a veteran for a long time. To have the confidence and poise to hit that shot in that situation demonstrates his maturity as a player."

Unity came out as the aggressors in the first quarter, taking a 16-7 lead into the quarter break. However, the Dux chipped away at the lead on the offensive end while turning up the pressure on defense, taking a 20-19 lead going into halftime. 

"I was beyond impressed with the mindset our guys took after the first quarter. Nobody tried to make up the deficit with one shot. They were patient, worked together, and took it one possession at a time to get back in the game," Coach Ray said. 

Kylan Arnold ('22) and Drew Weenum ('22) iced the game with big free throws down the stretch. Arnold scored 18 points and Weenum had five timely points. Bergen Loeprich ('22) scored most of his 10 points in the first half. Josh Kroll ('22) and Keigan Wiersma ('22) came off the bench for four points and two points, respectively.

"Josh and Keigan are part of our bench unit that have been so big for us all year," Coach Ray said. "These guys, along with the rest of the bench, are so reliable and they always increase the energy on the floor when they come in. I don't think we win that game without what those guys brought to both ends of the floor."

The Dux will finish off their conference season on Tuesday, February 25 at 5:30pm against the Byron Center Bulldogs. The Freshmen game will tip off at 4pm, with the varsity team starting around 7pm.