Box Score On the road at the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference leading Marian University Sabres, the Spartan men's basketball team overcame a second half double-digit deficit to win 78-73 and stay in contention for a top seed in the NACC Tournament.

AU led for most of the first-half but the host Sabres took a lead late in the half to enter halftime up six at 43-37.

In the second-half, Marian held a comfortable lead for a good portion of the half and were up by as many as 12 with 6:35 left to play. That is when the Spartans mounted their comeback.

Over the final six and a half minutes, AU out-scored Marian 22-5. With-in the larger run was a 16-2 Spartan run that gave AU the lead. Four different Spartans scoring as Sean Gant and Kyle Pilmer each had four points and Brandon Smith had five points

After a three-point basket by Kalmon Stokes gave AU a five points lead with a minute to play, Marian responded with a three of their own. But that was the last AU would allow the home team to score on the day.

Smith and Gavin Walker knocked down free-throws in the final minute to secure the key NACC road win. The win moves AU to 14-8 overall and 11-6 in the NACC.

Stokes led four Spartans in scoring with 17 points, Smith had 15 points, Walker had 13 points and seven assists and Pilmer had a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

Next action for the Spartan men's basketball team comes on Tuesday, February 11 when they host Concordia University Chicago. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. in Thornton Gymnasium.