The Aurora University men's basketball team fell behind early with cold shooting and despite a furious effort in the second-half, fell to Illinois Tech 80-68 on Thursday night.
 

FINAL SCORE: Illinois Institute of Technology 80, Aurora University 68
LOCATION: Thornton Gymnasium - Aurora, Illinois 
RECORDS: Aurora University 9-5 overall and 4-3 in the NACC; Illinois Institute of Technology 7-7 overall and 5-2 in the NACC


- A Julian Gatewood layup gave the Spartans an early 2-1 lead, unfortunately the last time the Spartans would hold a lead on the night.
- AU would trail going to halftime 48-29.
- Spartan Head Coach Steve Christiansen started the second-half with a different look in the lineup for a spark and it was quick to pay back.
- A 7-0 run over the first four minutes of the half pulled the Spartans to within 12 at 48-36.
- A few minutes later, back to back baskets from Justin Wilson saw AU within seven at 50-43, a 14-2 Spartan run.
- With 8:13 to go, Trey Jenkins nailed a corner three and AU was within five at 57-52.
- That was as close as the Spartans would get the rest of the contest but kept the deficit within single digits until the final seconds.
- AU would fall for the first time in 2023, 80-68.


Points: Nolan Boffman (17), Michael Osborne and Justin Wilson (13)
Assists: Tre Hamilton (4) 
Rebounds: Justin Wilson, Nolan Boffman and Michael Osborne (5)
Steals: Nolan Boffman (2)


Next action for the Spartan men's basketball team comes on Tuesday, January 10 when they host Benedictine University. Opening tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m. in Thornton Gymnasium.