The Aurora University men's basketball team moved to 5-0 all-time when hosting MS Day on Lancaster Court in Thornton Gymnasium. AU defeated Wisconsin Lutheran College 77-72 on a cold and snowy Saturday afternoon.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 77, Wisconsin Lutheran College 72
LOCATION: Aurora, Illinois; Lancaster Court in Thornton Gymnasium
RECORDS: Aurora University 9-9 overall and 7-6 in the NACC; Wisconsin Lutheran College 8-11 overall and 6-8 in the NACC

BOX SCORE: View Here

HOW IT HAPPENED
- After a corner three from Bailey Vance to start the game, the Spartans trailed for a good part of the first-half.
- With 6:38 to go, AU trailed 27-21 bur an 8-0 run of a three and lay-up from Rashad Johnson and three from Vance gave the Spartans a 29-27 lead.
- WLC regained the lead but the Spartans hung close before heading to halftime tied 43-43.
- The first-half saw the return of senior Max Vickers, playing in his first game since an injury early in the season against the same Warrior team.
- The second-half was a mirror opposite of the first with WLC making the first basket before the Spartans grabbed the lead.
- AU used a 12-2 run fueled again by the three ball with Tyler Carlson and Vance knocking down one each.
- Both teams picked up the defense in the second-half and with 8:38 to go in the game, the score was tied 62-62.
- WLC took a 64-63 lead two minutes later but that would be the last time AU trailed.
- A 7-0 Spartan run capped off by a Carlson three put AU up 70-64.
- With 2:18 left in the game, coming out of a timeout, the Spartans got a layup from Bailey Vance to go up 74-67.
- Free throws were key down the stretch as AU went three of four and the Warriors had a second of two turn into a lane violation with AU leading by three at the time 75-72.
- Garrett Hoffman was fouled and sealed the game with two made free throws.
- AU was victorious 77-72.

SPARTAN GAME STAT LEADERS
POINTS: Tyler Carlson (19), Bailey Vance (18) and Rashad Johnson (14)
REBOUNDS: Jesse Young (7) and Max Vickers (6)
ASSISTS: Demetrius Pointer (5) 
STEALS: Jesse Young (2)

UP NEXT:
Next action for the Spartan men's basketball team comes on Tuesday, January 29 when they host Benedictine University. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. on Lancaster Court in Thornton Gymnasium.