Aurora University men's basketball seniors Rashad Johnson and Bailey Vance were recognized prior to the regular season finale against Illinois College. The duo then put on a show in the game, combining for 58 points as the Spartans won convincingly, 100-81.
 
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 100, Illinois College 81
LOCATION: Aurora, Illinois - Lancaster Court in Thornton Gymnasium
RECORDS: Aurora University 6-3 overall and 5-3 NACC; Illinois College 4-2 overall
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- AU opened up a 7-0 lead 1:42 into the game behind two baskets from Bailey Vance and a three-point play by Mahlik Hall.
- The Spartans and Illinois College locked into a tight contest and with 6:30 left in the opening half, the score was tied 23-23.
- Over the next five minutes, AU ran off an 18-2 on-slaught to blow the game wide open at 41-25. 
- Nathan Yockey drained a three to cap off the run.
- Yockey then hit the final basket of the first-half, also a three to send AU to halftime up 44-30.
- The visitors came out of halftime and made a run of their own, cutting the Spartan lead to three at 50-47 with 16:16 still to play.
- With 10:57 to go in the game, AU's lead was down to one at 61-60.
- That is when the three ball started falling AU's way.
- Over the final 10:49, The Spartans went 9-of-10 from three-point range with Rashad Johnson contributing five and Bailey Vance two.
- In the final 10:49 of the game, Johnson accounted for 21 of the Spartans 39 points.
- The final basket by Johnson, came after he stole an inbounds pass and hit a three from the far corner to give AU 100 points on the night.
- AU defeated the visiting Blueboys 100-81.
 
SPARTAN STAT LEADERS
Points: Rashad Johnson (34), Bailey Vance (24) and Mahlik Hall (19)
Assists: Shamar Pumphrey and Ha'ashim Keys (4)
Rebounds: Ha'ashim Keys and Brooks Schoon (5)
Steals: Bailey Vance (5)
 
UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan men's basketball team comes on Wednesday, March 3 when they are scheduled to play in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Tournament. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. at either Rockford University or Benedictine University. The opponent will be known once the NACC makes an official announcement on the tiebreaker.