Before ringing in the new year, the Aurora University men's basketball team hosted Wisconsin Lutheran College on New Years Eve on Lancaster Court in Thornton Gymnasium. The Spartans battled the Warriors and were victorious 86-77.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE:  Aurora University 86, Wisconsin Lutheran College 77
LOCATION: Aurora, Illinois – Lancaster Court in Thornton Gymnasium
RECORDS: Aurora University 7-3; 5-1 NACC; Wisconsin Lutheran College 6-4; 4-2 NACC
 
HOW IT HAPPENED  
The Spartans opened the game on a 7-2 run behind a three from Pat Kramp.
After WLC cut the lead down to 9-8 with 14:52 to play, the Spartans answered with another run.
Three-point field goals from Marcus Myers, Chris Mahoney and Jordan LaGrone pushed the Spartan lead to 10 at 21-11 midway through the opening half.
Cold shooting and stingy defense was the game in the opening half.
With AU leading by 11 just under seven minutes to play, WLC ran off a 12-0 streak to take their only lead of the first half.
The teams headed into halftime tied 37-37.
Over the opening eight minutes of the second-half the teams traded leads.
At 11:34 left, Jovonn Griffin got a steal and fast break lay-up to grab what would be the Spartans final lead of the game at 55-54.
The Griffin basket started a 15-4 AU run that was capped off by three's from LaGrone and Ty Carlson.
Over the final eight minutes of the game, the Spartans never saw their lead get within six and tied the game high of an 11 point advantage several times.
Free throws sealed the game down the stretch for the Spartans who won 86-77.

FOR THE SPARTANS
AU went 24-of-28 from the free-throw line on the night and held a 15-7 assist to turnover total.
Ty Carlson scored 17 points with eight rebounds, four steals and three assists.
Marcus Myers had 15 points and seven rebounds.
Jordan LaGrone had 14 points on four-of-seven from three-point range off the AU bench.
Jovonn Griffin scored 12 points with six assists and six rebounds.
Pat Kramp had 11 points.
 
SPARTAN STAT LEADERS
POINTS: Ty Carlson (17), Marcus Myers (15), Jordan LaGrone (14), Jovonn Griffin (12) and Pat Kramp (11)
REBOUNDS: Ty Carlson (8), Marcus Myers (7) and Jovonn Griffin (6)
ASSISTS: Jovonn Griffin (6), Marcus Myers and Ty Carlson (3)
STEALS: Ty Carlson (4), Jovonn Griffin (3) and Marcus Myers (2)
 
UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan men's basketball team comes on Saturday, January 7 when they travel to Milwaukee School of Engineering. Game time is set for 4:15 p.m. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.