The Aurora University men's basketball team came up just short in the opening game of the Carthage Tip-Off Classic, as they tried to earn a come-from-behind victory against Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. In a game that saw three lead changes and two ties, the Spartans missed on a last second three and ultimately lost 84-83 to the Fightn' Engineers. 

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE:  Rose-Hulman 84, Aurora University 83
LOCATION: Kenosha, Wis at Carthage College
RECORDS: Aurora University 0-2 overall and 0-0 NACC; Rose-Hulman 2-1 overall and 0-0 HCAC
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Jarek Hotwagner scored the first five Spartan points, helping to keep the game close in the first three minutes of the game. 
- Rose-Hulman went on a run to put the Fightn' Engineers up 15-7 with 13 minutes left in the first half.
- For the next four minutes, Rose-Hulman would hold their led, but with 8:51 to play in the first half, Shamar Pumphrey's three pointer would tie the game at 21-21.
- Rose-Hulman went on another run, scoring a few quick baskets and pulling ahead 34-24 with 5:42 to play in the first half.
- The Spartans fought back as the first half concluded and cut the Rose-Hulman lead to three heading into halftime. The Spartans trailed 47-44 at the half.
- The second half opened with another Rose-Hulman run, as the Fightn' Engineers extended their lead to 56-44 with 17:24 left to play in regulation.
- A free throw by Ha'ashim Keys at the 16:44 mark would be the first Spartan points of the half, with Rose-Hulman holding the lead at 56-45.
- As the second half wore on, the Spartans tightened up their defense and several Spartan steals cut the Rose-Hulman lead to 65-63 with 11:41 left in regulation.
- The Spartans and the Fightn' Engineers would trade baskets keeping the game close as the second half played out.
- With 5:56 left to play in regulation, Ha'ashim Keys drilled a three point bucket to cut the Rose-Hulman lead to 76-75.
- As the final minutes of the game ticked down, Bailey Vance drew a foul and knocked down two free throws. The Fightn' Engineers continued to hold the lead at 82-80 with 1:23 left to play.
- After a Rose-Hulman turnover, Rashad Johnson knocked down a big three, giving the Spartans a 83-82 lead with 18 seconds left in regulation.
- The Spartan bucket gave the ball back to the Fightn' Engineers and as they drove the ball down the court, drew a Spartan foul with five seconds left to play. Rose-Hulman knocked down both free throws, as they pulled ahead 84-83.
- The Spartans would take the last shot of the game, but the three point shot by Rashad Johnson just missed and the Spartans would go on to lose 84-83.

SPARTAN STAT LEADERS
Points: Will Hrubes (14), Bailey Vance (13), Shamar Pumphrey (12) and Justin Wierzgac (11)
Assists: Ha'ashim Keys (5), Shamar Pumphrey (4) and Will Hrubes (2)
Rebounds: Bailey Vance (7), Shamar Pumphrey (5) and Will Hrubres (2)
Steals: Shamar Pumphrey (3) and Justin Wierzgac (2)
 
UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan men's basketball team comes on Saturday, November 23 when they play Finlandia University in day two of the Carthage College Tip-Off Classic. Tip-Off is set for 1:00 pm in Kenosha, Wisconsin.