The Aurora University men's basketball team built a large second-half lead and held on to defeat Illinois Tech 85-83 in the 2019-2020 home opener on Lancaster Court in Thornton Gymnasium.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 85, Illinois Tech 83
LOCATION: Lancaster Court in Thornton Gymnasium - Aurora, Illinois
RECORDS: Aurora University 2-3 overall and 1-0 NACC; Illinois Tech 0-5 overall and 0-2 NACC
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Spartans fell behind 6-2 to start the contest and quickly rallied for a back and forth first 17 minutes of play.
- Leading 22-21, AU closed out the final 7:21 on a 20-9 run to lead by 12 at 42-30 heading to halftime.
- AU used a perfect 12-of-12 from the free throw line in the first 20 minutes to have a lead.
- The Spartans jumped out to start the second-half an 11-4 run capped by a three from Shamar Pumphrey and forced an IIT timeout.
- AU continued to build their lead and with an Ethan Conroy three with 12:10 left in the game, the Spartans led 70-47.
- An IIT timeout settled things down though for the visitors who responded with a 22-2 run and with 5:32 left, AU led by three at 72-69.
- Spartan Will Hrubes hit a three as part of his team leading 18 in the game to stem the IIT run.
- AU would maintain a 5 to 7 point lead the remainder of the contest.
- A three by IIT at the buzzer made the score seam closer than reality as AU was victorious 85-83.

SPARTAN STAT LEADERS
Points: Will Hrubes (18), Shamar Pumphrey (14), Justin Wierzgac and Ha'ashim Keys (10)
Assists: Shamar Pumphrey and Ha'ashim Keys (3)
Rebounds: Will Hrubes (7)
Steals: Rashad Johnson (4)

UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan men's basketball team comes on Wednesday, December 4 when they travel to Concordia University Wisconsin. Tip off is set for 7:00 p.m. in Mequon, Wisconsin.