The holiday trip to San Antonio, Texas for the Aurora University men's basketball team concluded with a 97-86 loss to Sul Ross State University.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Sul Ross State University 97, Aurora University 86
LOCATION: San Antonio, Texas
RECORDS: Aurora University 4-7 overall; Sul Ross University 5-7 overall

HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Spartans started the game off strong and following back-to-back-to-back three's from Jarek Hotwagner with 14:05 left, AU led 16-10.
- Over the next four minutes though, the Spartans saw the hot shooting go cold and turnovers lead to a SRSU 20-2 run.
- AU trailed 30-18 with 10 minutes left in the first-half.
- The Spartans battled back into the game and when Brandon James and Bailey Vance hit three's, AU trailed by just five at 32-27.
- Heading to half, AU trailed 50-41.
- A 7-0 run with a three from Rashad Johnson had AU within four (77-73) with 5:44 to play in the game.
- With the lead within three (80-77), the Spartans found shots just not fall in their favor as Sul Ross made free-throws.
- AU would fall 97-86.

SPARTAN GAME STAT LEADERS
POINTS: Bailey Vance (18), Rashad Johnson (17), Jarek Hotwagner (16) and De`Ante Walker (13)
REBOUNDS: Jarek Hotwagner (9)
ASSISTS: De`Ante Walker (5) 
STEALS: Marquis Howard (2) 

UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan men's basketball team comes on Thursday, January 3, 2019 when they host Concordia University Chicago. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. on Lancaster Court in Thornton Gymnasium.