The Aurora University men's basketball team went toe to toe with the #18 Eagles of Benedictine University on Tuesday night for the opening half but a late first-half run that carried into the second-half was to much for the Spartans to overcome in a 103-76 loss.
 
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE:  #18 Benedictine University 103; Aurora University 76
LOCATION: Lisle, Illinois - Rice Center
RECORDS: Aurora University 13-7; 11-4 NACC; #18 Benedictine University 16-4; 14-1 NACC
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
AU jumped out to a 9-4 lead 4:16 into the game behind a three-point basket from Ty Carlson.
The teams continued to battle and midway through the first-half, AU led 20-19.
With 3:52 to go in the half, the Spartans maintained a one-point lead at 34-33.
The #18 Eagles finished the half on a 15-0 run on the Spartans.
At halftime, AU trailed 48-34.
With 17:47 to play in the second-half, a Max Vickers basket ended a 20-0 Benedictine run.
The Spartans battled back on a 9-2 run to cut the deficit to 12 (57-45) with 14:50 left to go.
The host Eagles answered with a 9-0 to take a 66-45 lead.
With 10 minutes to play in the game, the Spartans trailed 75-55.
AU would go on to fall to the Eagles 103-76.

FOR THE SPARTANS
Marcus Myers had 17 points, five assists and two steals.
Max Vickers had 10 points and six rebounds.
Max Dunn had 10 points.
 
SPARTAN STAT LEADERS
Points: Marcus Myers (17), Max Vickers (10), Matt Dunn (10) and Chris Mahoney (9)
Assists: Marcus Myers (5) and Ty Carlson (4)
Rebounds: Max Vickers (6) and Ty Carlson (5)
Steals: Marcus Myers (2)
 
UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan men's basketball team comes on Saturday, February 4 when they host Milwaukee School of Engineering. Game time is set for 4:15 p.m. on Lancaster Court in Thornton Gymnasium. Spartan men's basketball is hosting the third annual MS Day. Read more about MS Day.