The AU student body packed Thornton Gymnasium Thursday night for the matchup between storied rivals, Aurora University and the Benedictine University Eagles. The game had significant conference implications in the southern division with BU boasting a 6-2 record in first place and AU in third with a 4-3
conference record. Benedictine was able to withstand several scoring runs by the Spartans in the second half as they held on to win 89-74.
The Spartans set the tempo for the game right out of the gate as they took the opening tip in for a layup less than two seconds into the game.
Defense for the Spartans looked solid early caused several turnovers but eventual breakdowns and poor rebounding gave the Eagles second chance opportunities resulting in back to back three-point field goals by Benedictine's senior guard Terry Licht, giving the Eagles a 12-8 lead with just over 15 minutes left in the first half.
The following minutes would see runs made by both teams although neither team was able to maintain the momentum for any kind of duration. With 10:30 on the clock, the Eagles held a 20-16 lead.
Benedictine scoring on six-of-eight possessions controlled the all the momentum and opened their lead to 15 points by the five minute mark.
In the final minutes of the half, the Spartans were unable to connect on several good looks while the Eagles continued to produce on their end leaving them with 44-26 lead. Leading the Eagles at half were junior guard Nate Green (18 points on 6 of 10 shooting) and senior guard Cameron Snelling (13 rebounds and eight points) Setting the pace for the Spartans was senior guard Brandon Merke with six points and two steals.
Despite the Eagles striking first in the second half, the Spartans controlled the energy early with baskets on three consecutive possessions. Benedictine would not back down as they answered with two baskets of their own.
After being down 20 points, AU found success on the offensive end behind solid play from sophomore guard Ryan Crow cutting the lead to 54-39 with 15:00 left to play.
Senior forward Skyler Ormsbee's blocked shot with 11:30 started a fast break for the Spartans and after a block by Eagles forward Brian Genslinger, Ormsbee would be there to clean up the glass and put it
back for two points. The great hustle by Ormsbee helped to once again cut into the Eagle lead.
The flowing minutes brought once again a trading of baskets between the two teams. With the Eagles able convert on more opportunities, they slowly built their lead back up to 20 by the 5:30 mark.
Aurora tightened up on the defensive end producing back to back fast break opportunities which resulted in consecutive baskets by freshman forward Scott Laskowski.
Spartan sophomore guard Mike Bumber connected on multiple jump shots in the closing minutes and the Spartans would be as close as 14 twice. However, the Eagles seemed to always find a basket to keep the game out of reach each time the Spartans made a run.
Aurora shot poorly from outside going just 5-17 for 29% from three point range and also shot just 53% from the line making only 7 of their 13 attempts.
Green with 29 points lead all scorers while he also added 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Snelling tallied 21 rebounds while adding 15 points. Licht also added 20 points and 6 rebounds.
For the Spartans, Laskowski had 16 points and nine rebounds while shooting 8-of-14 from the field. Bumber added 12 points while Merke chipped in 10 points and four steals.
The Spartans travel to Lakeland College this Saturday where they square off against the Muskies at 4:15pm.
