The Aurora University men's basketball team played the first game of their 2024-2025 regular season on Friday night, squaring off against the University of Dubuque Spartans in Thorton Gymnasium. Despite being down by as much as 22 in the second half, AU showed fight in the second half but fell short 88-76.


FINAL SCORE: University of Dubuque 88, Aurora University 76
LOCATION: Thornton Gymnasium - Aurora, Illinois
RECORDS: Aurora University 0-1 overall; University of Dubuque 1-0 overall.


- Each team traded baskets through about the first seven minutes, as AU saw themselves down 14-13.
- Maxwell Marius netted five early points for the Spartans in those first seven minutes of action.
- A Dwayne Jervier Jr. jumper with 12:12 to go in the first half halted an 8-0 Dubuque run. AU trailed at this point 20-15.
- Dubuque would go on a 9-0 run later in the half. AU trailed 43-25 with just under three minutes to go.
- Isaiah Davis hit two free throws to stop Dubuque's run, as he had eight points to lead AU in the first half.
- The Spartans trailed 49-28 at the break.
- Joevonn McCottry scored the first five points of the second half by either team, cutting the Spartan deficit to 49-33.
- Later in the half, the Spartans would go on a 9-0 run highlighted by seven Noah Butler points.
- AU got as close as 10 with just over five minutes to go after another Butler lay-in off Mekhi Doby's third assist.
- This was as close as the Spartans would get as they wound up losing 88-78, despite shooting 56% in the second half and 45% from beyond the arc.
- The Spartans also outscored Dubuque in the paint 38-30, but it was not enough in their first loss of the season.


Points: Joevonn McCottry (21), Isaiah Davis (19) and Noah Butler (14)
Assists: Joevonn McCottry and Mekhi Doby (3)
Rebounds: Joevonn McCottry (6) and Dwayne Jervier Jr. (5)
Steals: Isaiah Davis (4) and Joevonn McCottry (2)
Blocks: Isaiah Davis and Noah Butler (1)


Next scheduled action for the Spartan men's basketball team comes on Tuesday, November 12 when they host North Central College. Opening tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in Thornton Gymnasium.