For the first time this season the Aurora University men's basketball team suffered defeat, falling to the Marian University Sabres 98-96. In a bright spot on the night, senior Kalmon Stokes surpassed 1,000 points for his career to becomes the 31st member of the AU men's basketball 1,000 point club.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Marian University 98 ; Aurora University 96
LOCATION: Aurora, Illinois – Thornton Gymnasium
RECORDS: Aurora University 5-1; 3-1 NACC ; Marian University 4-4 ; 1-3 NACC
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Sabers opened up the game hot and went on an 11-2 run early in the first half and led 19-11.
Marian led for a good portion of the first half, holding off AU runs with runs of their own.
AU grabbed the lead back with 1:43 to play at 42-40. Stokes scored five straight points including his 1,000th in the short run.
The Spartans got a three-point basket from Nick Kladis just before the half to take a two-point lead into intermission, 47-45.
The Spartans opened the second half on a 5-2 run to take their biggest lead of the game at 52-47.
Marian answered back with a 12-0 run to regain a seven point lead just 4:11 into the second half.
AU responded shortly after with an 8-0 run and led 65-64 midway through the half.
In a half of runs, Marian shot off a 12-0 run and was up by 11 with 8:03 to play.
The Spartans battled back and regained a lead, 90-89 on a three from Tyler Hall with 2:14 to play.
Marian calmly fought off the Spartans though and pushed the lead back to five, 98-93 before a last second three from Kladis made the final 98-96.

OUTSIDE THE BOX
Spartan senior Kalmon Stokes became the 31st member of the AU men's basketball 1,000 point club. He knocked down a three-point field goal with 2:17 to play in the first-half to reach his 1,000th point. He would finish the night with 14 points and is sitting at 1,009.
AU fell for the first time in 2015-2016 and had a tough shooting night, finishing shooting only 41.9-percent from the field.
 
FOR THE SPARTANS
Tyler Hall led the Spartans with 20 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
Jovon Griffin had 16 points.
Nick Kladis scored 16 points on three-of-three shooting from three-point range.
AU out-rebounded Marian 41-35.
 
FOR THE FOES
Carvell Oliver led the Sabers with 24 points and five rebounds.
Alex Stecker had 19 points and six assists.
Josh Creed had 18 points, five assists and five rebounds.
Montrell Hobbs recorded 17 points and nine rebounds.

UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan men's basketball team comes on Saturday, December 12 when they travel to Concordia University Wisconsin. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m. in Mequon, Wisconsin.