The Aurora University men's basketball team hosted the Millikin University Big Blue in the final game of the Mickey Johnson Tip-Off Classic. Millikin controlled this one from the start, with only five lead changes the Spartan offense wasn't able to keep up. AU would fall to the Big Blue 96-74 at home.
FINAL SCORE: Millikin University 96 , Aurora University 74
LOCATION: Thornton Gymnasium - Aurora, Illinois
RECORDS: Aurora University 1-1 overall ; Millikin University 2-0 overall
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Zerrick Johnson scored the first basket of the game, a pull-up jumper from mid-range, giving AU a quick 2-0 lead.
- At 16:59 on the clock,
Cullen Rauls cashed-in a three, providing AU with a 9-5 lead, what would be their largest lead of the contest.
- Over the next six minutes of game time, Millikin would go on a 16-5 run, taking a 28-18 lead with eight minutes remaining in the first half.
- The Spartans would keep it competitive in the remainder of the half, heading into halftime down 45-39.
- Rauls led the scoring for AU with 18 after going 2-3 from behind-the-arc and 6-6 at the stripe.
- Spartan big man
Devon Richardson collected 10 boards in the half, adding eight points and two assists to the stat sheet.
- The second half would not be friendly to the Spartans, as Millikin's hot hand from the first carried over. The Big Blue took their largest lead of the game, 24, with 7:49 left in regulation.
- The Spartans would eventually fall to Millikin 96-74 in the final game of the Mickey Johnson Tip-off Classic.
Points: Cullen Rauls and
Zerrick Johnson (23)
Assists: Devon Richardson,
Zerrick Johnson and
Joey Diederich (2)
Rebounds:
Devon Richardson (10)
Steals: Joey Diederich (2)
Blocks: Zerrick Johnson (2)
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Next action for the Spartan men's basketball team comes on Wednesday, November 11, 2026 when they host North Central College. Tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m. at Thornton Gymnasium in Aurora, Illinois.
