The Aurora University men's basketball team took on Marian University on Saturday afternoon, looking to avenge their Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference overtime loss against the Sabres less than a month ago. Despite holding an 18 point lead early in the second-half, the Spartans fell to Marian in Thornton Gymnasium 68-67.


FINAL SCORE: Marian University 68, Aurora University 67
LOCATION: Thornton Gymnasium - Aurora, Illinois 
RECORDS: Aurora University 5-9 overall and 3-4 NACC; Marian University 12-2 overall and 5-2 NACC


- AU came out firing on a 14-6 scoring run through the game's first eight minutes.
- Isaiah Davis drained two early three's during the scoring run.
- The Spartans saw that lead stretch to as high as 17 with a little over seven minutes to go in the half after Jeffery Hillmer slammed one home.
- Marian cut that AU lead to single digits late in the first half, as the Spartans held a 31-22 advantage with just over two minutes left until the half
- Joevonn McCottry led the Spartans going into the break with six quick points late in the half, as AU took a 38-25 lead going into the locker room.
- The Spartans shot over 57% from the field in the first half, led by McCottry's 10 points.
- Mekhi Doby scored four straight points to give AU their largest lead of the game at 51-33 with 15:39 on the clock.
- Marian followed with a 9-2 scoring run to trail the Spartans 53-42 about halfway through the second half.
- The Sabres went on another 10-0 scoring run later in the half to cut the AU lead to one possession at 64-61 with 3:34 on the clock.
- AU trailed for the first time with just 1:08 left after a Marian layup.
- Doby got the charity stripe for AU with 10 seconds remaining and a chance to tie the game. Doby knocked down one-of-two free throws to see the Spartans trail 68-67.
- After a foul, the Marian free-throw shooter missed both free throw shots giving AU a chance with 3.1 seconds left.
- Hillmer saw one final look from half court for AU, but was unable to convert, missing just off target as the buzzer sounded. 
- AU fell by a score of 68-67.

 
Points: Jeffery Hillmer (17), Isaiah Davis and Joevonn McCottry (13) and Mekhi Doby (10)
Assists: Joevonn McCottry (5) and Mekhi Doby (4)
Rebounds: Joevonn McCottry (8) and Jeffery Hillmer (7)
Steals: Jeffery Hillmer and Joevonn McCottry (3)
Blocks: Joevonn McCottry and Maxwell Marius (1)


Next action for the Spartan men's basketball team comes on Wednesday, January 15 when they host Edgewood College. Opening tip is slated for 7:00 p.m. in Thornton Gymnasium.