In yet another classic match-up between the Aurora University and Benedictine University men's basketball teams, the Spartans defeated the Eagles in an overtime thriller 78-73

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 78, Benedictine University 73 - overtime
LOCATION: Aurora, Illinois - Lancaster Court in Thornton Gymnasium
RECORDS: Aurora University 10-10 overall and 8-7 in the NACC; Benedictine University 11-10 overall and 8-8 in the NACC

BOX SCORE: View Here

HOW IT HAPPENED
- The game started with AU landing the basket with a Bailey Vance three early.
- After falling behind 7-5 Tyler Carlson struck from three point range to give the Spartans the 8-7 lead with 15:55 remaining in the first half.
- The game remained close as De'Ante Walker tied the game 13-13 with a three-point bucket of his own. 
- The Walker three Sparked an AU 12-0 run that saw a big offensive rebound and put-back from Jarek Hotwagner. The Spartans led 22-13 with 10:20 remaining in the first half.
- The next few minutes saw the two teams trade shots. A layup from Max Vickers gave AU the 31-21 lead with 5:36 remaining in the half.
- After it appeared the momentum was starting to swing in favor of the Eagles, Bailey Vance scored using a euro step to lift the Spartan fans to their feet.
- The Spartans led heading to halftime, 38-29.
- The second half opened with the visitors having the hot hand. AU quickly saw their lead disappear behind a 13-4 BU run and the score was tied 42-42 with 16:30 remaining in the game.  
- After finding themselves down four at 46-42, AU responded with a three point strike from De'Ante Walker and a layup from Bailey Vance to pull ahead 47-46 with 14:32 remaining in the game.
- A Benedictine run of 13-2 found the Spartans down 59-49 with 10 minutes to go in the game.
- After a shooting slump for the Spartans Max Vickers sunk a three to give AU life. AU trailed 59-53 with 8:37 remaining.
- A Rashad Johnson three closed the gap further as AU trailed 61-56 with 7:28 remaining in the game.
- With 4:07 to play in the game, the Spartans again trailed by 10 at 70-60 after a desperation three went in for the Eagles.
- The Spartans picked up the pressure defensively and started to chip away from the free-throw line.
- A 10-0 run by AU tied up the game at 70-70 with 28.3 seconds remaining in the game after a Bailey Vance layup.
- Coming out of a timeout, the Spartans again forced a desperation three from BU which went barely off the side of the rim.   
- Jess Young grabbed the rebound and it appeared the Spartans won the game with a half court shot from Young that found nothing but net. But a timeout call for the Spartans negated the field goal with 1.8 seconds to go..
- The Spartans and Eagles headed to overtime tied at 70-70.
- After two and a half minutes of defense AU started the scoring with De'Ante Walker maneuvering through the Eagle defense for a layup. AU led Benedictine 72-70 with 2:27 remaining in overtime.
- After an Eagle response Max Vickers found the bucket for two points of his own and AU led 74-72 with 1:12 left to play.
- The free-throw line was not friendly to either team on the night and a 1-of-2 trip for the Eagles with AU leading by two set up AU with the lead and the ball.
- A short jumper from Bailey Vance in the paint with 19 seconds to play gave AU a 76-73 lead.
- After a missed shot in the paint, AU grabbed the rebound and Bailey Vance sealed the game with two made free-throws..
- AU defeated Benedictine University 78-73 in overtime.

SPARTAN TOP PERFORMERS
- Bailey Vance had a double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds
- Max Vickers was a rebound shy of a double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds
- De'Ante Walker had 13 points off the AU bench.

SPARTAN GAME STAT LEADERS
POINTS: Bailey Vance (19), Max Vickers (14) and De'Ante Walker (13)
REBOUNDS: Bailey Vance (13)
ASSISTS: Bailey Vance, Tyler Carlson and Rashad Johnson (2)
STEALS: Jesse Young and De'Ante Walker (2)

UP NEXT:
Next action for the Spartan men's basketball team comes on Wednesday, February 6 when they travel to Lakeland University. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. in Plymouth, Wisconsin