The Aurora University Spartan men's basketball team hosted an early 2018 battle in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference with Milwaukee School of Engineering. The game lived up to its billing with the final shot of the game being a chance for the Spartans to tie the game. AU would fall to MSOE 84-81.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Milwaukee School of Engineering 84, Aurora University 81
LOCATION: Aurora, Illinois - Lancaster Court in Thornton Gymnasium
RECORDS: Aurora University 6-7 overall, 5-3 NACC; Milwaukee School of Engineering 7-5 overall, 6-2 NACC

HOW IT HAPPENED
- AU built a six point advantage on a Marcus Myers lay up with 13:26 on the game clock in the opening half.
- The game remained low scoring and did not have much pace as the opening half was littered with fouls.
- With 8:50 on the clock, AU led 24-19 following a Max Vickers made free throw.
- MSOE worked their way back to tie the game at 31 all with 4:56 to play. 
- The visitors then had an 8-0 run and led 39-31 before the Spartans countered with an 8-1 run to send the game to halftime at 40-39 in favor of the Raiders.
- The Spartans opened up the second-half with a 12-6 run that was capped off by a three from Pat Kramp and led 51-46.
- AU maintained the lead until the 9:32 mark when MSOE took a 56-55 lead. 
- With 1:38 to play, MSOE held the games largest lead at 79-71.
- The Spartans battled back though and with seven seconds to play, Marcus Myers lay-up pulled AU to within one at 82-81.
- Following two MSOE made free-throws, Myers brought the ball to the top of the arch but his shot was long and ended the Spartans chance to tie the game.
- AU would fall in the closely played contest 84-81.
 
FOR THE SPARTANS
- Marcus Myers had a game-high with 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
- Max Vickers had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
- Matt Dunn had 16 points and six assists.
 
SPARTAN STAT LEADERS
POINTS: Marcus Myers (23), Matt Dunn (16) and Max Vickers (15) 
REBOUNDS: Max Vickers (10) and Marcus Myers (7)
ASSISTS: Matt Dunn (6)
STEALS: Marcus Myers and Justin Wierzgac (2)
 
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