The Aurora University men's basketball team got back to winning ways as they defeated the Stars of Dominican University 75-59 on Monday night.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 75, Dominican University 59
LOCATION: River Forest, Illinois
RECORDS: Aurora University 3-5 overall and 2-4 in the NACC; Dominican University 2-7 overall and 2-3 in the NACC

HOW IT HAPPENED
- AU jumped out to a fast 5-0 lead but Dominican answered with a 9-0 run which was aided by a couple AU turnovers.
- With 11:55 left in the opening half, AU trailed by a game high five points at 18-13.
- Two three point baskets and a lay-up from Bailey Vance with a lay-up from Jesse Young put AU up 23-20 with 10:21 left.
- The teams traded leads the rest of the first half and when Spartan Jarek Hotwagner tipped in a basket just before the buzzer, AU went to halftime down 34-32.
- Early in the second half, back to back AU possessions saw Matt Dunn and Tyler Carlson hit three balls. The Carlson three gave the Spartans a 41-38 lead. The lead would not fall out of the Spartans hands the rest of the night.
- Leading by three (57-54) with just under eight minutes left in the game, the Spartans used a 14-0 run which was fueled by strong defense and rebounding while the buckets came from all over the court.
- The Spartans hung on down the stretch and were victorious 75-59.
 
TOP SPARTAN PERFORMERS
- AU out-rebounded Dominican 39-31 which included 13 offensive rebounds.
- Bailey Vance had a game high 18 points with six rebounds.
- Jarek Hotwagner had 17 points and seven rebounds.
- Ethan Conroy came off the bench to score four points, pull down five rebounds while having two steals and one assist.

SPARTAN STAT LEADERS
POINTS: Bailey Vance (18), Jarek Hotwagner (17), Justin Wierzgac (13) and Tyler Carlson (11)
REBOUNDS: Jarek Hotwagner (7) and Bailey Vance (6) 
ASSISTS: Matt Dunn (4) 
STEALS: Ethan Conroy and Jesse Young (2)

UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan men's basketball team comes on Wednesday, December 19 when they host Albion College. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m. on Lancaster Court in Thornton Gymnasium.