The Aurora University Spartans men's basketball team took on Concordia University Wisconsin Falcons Saturday afternoon. After a back and forth first half, the Spartans rallied with a high scoring second half to win the game 85-71.
 
AU senior guard Gavin Walker opened up the scoring with the Spartans as they took a 6-0 lead early in the game. The Falcons answeredfour minutes into the game with a three-pointer to cut the Spartan lead in half at 6-3. It was back and forth with the Spartans shots being answered until the Falcons were able to pull ahead for the first lead of the game 15-13. Aurora would trail but were well within striking distance when Spartan senior guard Brandon Smith hit a three to go up 19-18 with 7:08 to play in the first half..
 
Both teams fought for points as every shot was answered with another. With one minute left to play in the half the score was tied 28-28. But the Falcons took control with a layup and one foul shot to give the Falcons the lead going into halftime at 31-28.   
 
In the first half, Aurora was led in scoring by Smith and senior Kyle Pilmer who each had seven points. The Spartans defense held the Falcons to 38.5% shooting. 
 
The second half of play would start slow but the Spartans cut the lead to one with a jumper from junior guard Tyler Hall. This seemed to ignite the Spartans to an 8-0 run taking the lead 36-31. But the falcons would not go away easily keeping the score close until the Spartans would go on another run 12-3 fueled by three Smith three pointers. But just as it was in the first half, the Falcons would go on there own 9-0 run to stay in the game. The Falcons came within three points (54-51 - 9:19) which would be the closest the Falcons would come the remainder of the game.

The Spartans responded with defense and hot shooting for a 19-6 run to expand their lead to 16 with 2:50 to play, Hall had eight points in the AU run.
 
AU would eventually hold the lead with a nice cushion all the way to the final buzzer as the Spartans would defeat the Falcons with a final score 85-71. The Spartans defense would come up big holding the Falcons to 40% shooting in the game and forced 17 turnovers.
 
Smith would finish the game with 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field, Hall and Pilmer each had 18 points with Pilmer adding nine rebounds. Kalmon Stokes had 11 points and six rebounds and Walker had 12 assists and five points.

With the win, AU is now 3-2 overall and 1-0 in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference. Next action for the Spartan men's basketball team comes on Tuesday, December 2 when they travel to Benedictine University. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. in Lisle, Illinois. If you are attending the game, the men's team asks that you wear blue and BLUE OUT BU.