The Aurora University men's basketball team hosted Gustavus Adolphus in game one of the Tip-Off Classic Friday night. A hard-fought battle till the end, the Spartans would lose 84-79.


FINAL SCORE: Gustavus Adolphus 84, Aurora University 79
LOCATION: Aurora, Illinois
RECORDS: Aurora University 0-1 overall; Gustavus Adolphus 1-0 overall 


- A punch-for-punch battle to start the game, AU would win the tip and for five minutes stay even with the Gusties.
- Gustavus would then go on a 9-2 run over the next few minutes.
- Halfway through the first half, AU would be down 18-26.
- The Spartans would then go on a 10-3 run starting off with two made free throws from Zerrick Johnson and a hard-charging layup by Devon Richardson.
- Still down by one, AU would fight back and tie the game up with 43 seconds left in the half by another strong layup by Devon Richardson.
- A huge Three from Bryden Gryzmala to put the Spartans up would be met by the Gusties getting one of their own.
- The game was tied 38-38 going into halftime. 
- Zerrick Johnson would start off the second half putting AU up two.
- Gustavus would go up 43-42, but the Spartans had an answer.
- Aurora would go on a 11-0 run, capped off by a Larry Carthan fastbreak layup, putting the Spartans up 53-43
- Moving on later in the second half, a layup from Johnson would get the Spartans up 75-70.
- More back and forth action showed the Spartans going up 79-78 with 1:08 on the clock.
- The Spartans would lose a hard-fought battle in the end 84-79.

 
Points: Juan Madrigal, and Devon Richardson (23) and Zerrick Johnson (13) 
Assists: Gevon Grant (3)
Rebounds: Devon Richardson (9) and Juan Madrigal (6)
Steals: Jeffery Hillmer (2)
Blocks: Juan Madrigal, Devon Richardson, Zerrick Johnson, Larry Carthan, and Robert Hutson (1)


Next action for the Spartan men's basketball team comes on Saturday November 8 when they host Bethany Lutheran College. Game time is set for 5:00 p.m. in Thornton Gymnasium.