For the first time since the 2017-2018 season, the Aurora University men's basketball team reached 20-wins in a season, doing so with an 87-78 victory over long-time rival Benedictine University. Jeffery Hillmer had a monster double-double of 31-points and 15-rebounds while Juan Madrigal had 26-points and nine rebounds in the winning effort.


FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 87, Benedictine University 78
LOCATION: Aurora, Illinois - Thornton Gymnasium
RECORDS: Aurora University 20-4 overall and 15-2 in the NACC; Benedictine University 9-15 overall and 8-9 in the NACC

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- The win gives the Spartans their 20^th win of the season. The 20 wins is the 12^th in program history and first since the 2017-2018 season.


- The game started out with the teams trading blows and baskets,
- A 9-0 AU run with back-to-back three's from Juan Madrigal fueling the run.
- With 13:07 to play in the first-half, AU led 18-11.
- But the Spartans could not pull away from BU as the visitors fought their way back to a one possession game.
- AU led 34-32 going to halftime.
- The Spartans and Jeffery Hillmer came out strong to start the second-half with Hillmer scoring the first four points of a 6-0 run.
- Hillmer added seven more points in consecutive possessions and AU led by 11, 47-36.
- BU responded though, knocking down three;balls and with a 14-0 run, led AU 50-47 with 11:49 to play in the game.
- A Juan Madrigal layup and foul shot ended the run and tied the score 50-50 at the under 12 media.
- The Madrigal three-point play ignited a 14-2 Spartan run and with just under nine minutes to play, AU led 61-52.
- A short time later, AU collected a five-point possession as Madrigal drained a three with Josh Tinney being fouled under the basket. The Tinney free throws gave AU the largest lead of the game at 12 (71-59).
- The Spartans would finish the game going 11-of-12 from the free-throw line as BU would get no closer than seven.
- AU celebrated the home victory, winning 87-78.
 
 
Points: Jeffery Hillmer (31) and Juan Madrigal (26)
Assists: Cullen Rauls (7)
Rebounds: Jeffery Hillmer (15) and Devon Richardson (11)
Steals: Juan Madrigal (3)
Blocks: Devon Richardson and Juan Madrigal (2)


Next action for the Spartan men's basketball team comes on Saturday, February 21, 2026 when they travel to Milwaukee School of Engineering. Tip-off is set for 3:15 p.m. In Milwaukee, Wisconsin.