The Aurora
University Spartans defeated the Lakeland College Muskies 82-74 Saturday night in a key Northern Athletics Conference matchup on AU's Alumni Day.
In the first half, the Spartans and Muskies exchanged baskets on their opening possessions with Muskies building a 10-5 advantage four minutes into the contest.
The Spartans would fight back and close the Lakeland advantage behind a pair of senior guard Dusty Magee three pointers, as they went on a 9-6 run to make the score 16-14 Muskies with eleven minutes left.
The Spartans would take the lead with eight minutes remaining after
a pair of senior forward
Shane Roland free throws made the score 23-21. Another Roland basket and a three pointer by jun ior guard
Pete Carlson increased the Spartan lead to 28-21 with seven minutes to play.
The Spartans would increase their lead to 38-30 with two minutes left behind the hot shooting of Magee and Roland. But, the Muskies added five points in final minute to cut into the Spartan lead and at halftime, the Spartans led 38-35.
To
p Spartan performers for the half included Magee (12 points) and Roland (10 points), while Muskie sophomore forward Jake Schwarz led all scorers with 13 points.
In the second half, the Spartans and Muskies exchanged baskets on their opening possessions, and, two minutes into the half, the Spartans maintained a slim advantage, 40-39.
A 10-0 run over the next three and a half minutes by the Spartans would increase the lead to 50-39 behind baskets by junior forward Skyler Ormsbee and two Magee three's.
The Muskies got within six points of the Spartans, as a three pointer by Schwartz made the score 56-50 with 10 minutes left.
The Spartans would increase their lead to 67-57 with four minutes left, again behind the play of Magee and Ormsbee.
AU extended their lead to 11 points on five occasions in the second half and the resilient Muskies we
re never able to get within five points.
The Spartans sank all eight of their free throws in the final minute and would go on to win 82-74.
Top Spartan performers included Magee (28 points), who is now Aurora's career leader in three point field goals attempted and 10 shy of surpassing Adam McCoy for the all-time lead in three-point field goals made. Ormsbee had 14 points, Roland added 13 points and senior forward Lance Robinson had a double-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.
With the win, the Spartans improve to 7-7 (4-3 NAC) while the Muskies fall to 6-8 (3-3 NAC).
