The Aurora University men's basketball team returned home to Lancaster Court in Thornton Gymnasium. A much different crowd than the traditional rivalry crowd for an AU-BU game saw the teams battle with AU falling 77-68.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Benedictine University 77, Aurora University 68
LOCATION: Aurora, Illinois - Lancaster Court in Thornton Gymnasium.
RECORDS: Aurora University 2-2 overall and 2-2 NACC; Benedictine University 5-1 overall and 4-0 NACC
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- AU was cold from the field to start the game and with 15:27 left in the first-half, trailed 11-2.
- A 9-2 AU run in the late part of the opening half saw the Spartans trail by three at 31-28.
- Five points from Bailey Vance and a three from Shamar Pumphrey fueled the AU run.
- The visitors responded though with a 9-0 to open up the biggest lead of the game with one minute left.
- AU trailed 41-32 going to halftime.
- The Spartans started off strong in the second-half and behind a 13-2 run, took their first lead of the game, 49-48 with 12:17 to play.
- Mahlik Hall scored seven points to ignite the run and Nathan Yockey drained a three as well.
- With 9:18 on the clock, Rashad Johnson hit a jumper to give the Spartans a 55-54 lead.
- A 12-4 BU run found the Spartans needing to play come back again with 5:43 to play.
- Unfortunately, AU did not have another run in them as they would fall 77-68.

SPARTAN STAT LEADERS
Points: Bailey Vance (16), Mahlik Hall (15) , Rashad Johnson (14) and Shamar Pumphrey (13)
Assists: Shamar Pumphrey (6)
Rebounds: Bailey Vance (9) and Shamar Pumphrey (7)
Steals: Ha'ashim Keys (4), Mahlik Hall and Bailey Vance (3)

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