Playing host to the Stars of Dominican University, the Aurora University men's basketball team led throughout the contest on Wednesday night, winning by a score of 80-64 to clinch a bid into the 2014-2015 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Tournament.

The Spartans began the game strong on a 5-0 run and three minutes into the game led 12-2 and forced a Star timeout.

The run continued with the Spartans leading 15-4, 5 minutes into the half following a three-point basket by AU junior Kalmon Stokes. After the Stokes three though the Stars took to a run of their own, cutting the AU lead to four at 23-19 with 7:37 to play. But the veteran Spartans were not phased as they responded with a 9-0 run to take the games largest lead in the opening half of 13 at 32-19 with six minutes to play. Junior Tyler Hall had six points with Nick Kladis dropping a three for the nine point run.

Dominican hit a three right before the halftime intermission to cut the AU lead into single digits at 37-29. Hall led AU with eight points and four assists in the first-half while Kladis had six points and senior Kyle Pilmer had six points and six rebounds.
 

The second half continued the Spartan's dominant performance as they opened up the half with a 6-0 run, led by Pilmer with four points, which grew to a 12-3 run to break the game wide open.

Continuing to play strong defense and control the offensive possessions the Spartans led by 24, the games largest lead, (63-39) with 10 minutes left in the half.

The Spartans would hold on to a comfortable lead down the stretch and win by 16, 80-64. AU used 50-percent shooting from the field in the second half to coast to the win while limiting the Stars to 35.9-percent (23-64) for the game.

AU Head Coach James Lancaster was once again able to clear his bench on the night. Stokes and Hall led AU in scoring with 15 points with Hall adding seven assists. Pilmer added 14 points and nine rebounds.