All five Spartan starters scored in double figures as the Aurora University men's basketball team defeated Benedictine University 94-82 in the first round of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Tournament. Devon Richardsonhad a double-double of 22 points and 16 rebounds while blocking four shots in the victory.


FINAL SCORE: Aurora University 94, Benedictine University 82
LOCATION: Aurora, Illinois - Thornton Gymnasium
RECORDS: Aurora University 21-5 overall ; Benedictine University 10-16 overall 


- Cullen Rauls drained a three on the first possession of the game to give AU the lead, the first and only lead change of the contest.
- The Spartans would shoot lights out to start the game, going 17-of-21 (81%) to start the contest.
- With 7:52 left in the first-half, Juan Madrigal drained a three to put AU ahead by a game high 22 (42-20).
- AU headed to halftime leading by 15, 56-41.
- The Spartans shot 66.7% from the field (24-of-36) in the first-half which included going 8-of-11 from three.
- Rauls had 16 to lead all scorers in the first-half while Devon Richardson had a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds.
- The second-half saw the teams combine for 31 fouls and shoot 41 free-throws.
- The visitors chipped away at the AU lead but the Spartans kept the game in double digits until under 10 minutes remained.
- With 6:34 left, BU got to within five but Jeffery Hillmer drew a momentum changing foul in transition to stem the tide and put AU back up seven.
- AU went 7:35 between baskets in the second-half (10:55 to 3:20) but held off the Eagles with free throw conversions.
- Mekhi Doby drained a three with 3:20 to end the AU shot drought and put the Spartans ahead by nine (83-74).
- The Spartans went 24-of-29 from the free-throw line in the second-half which held off the 6-of-19 shooting by the team.
- AU was victorious over the rival Eagles, 94-82.
 
 
Points: Cullen Rauls (23), Devon Richardson (22), Jeffery Hillmer and Mekhi Doby (17) and Juan Madrigal (15)
Assists: Cullen Rauls (5)
Rebounds: Devon Richardson (16)
Steals: Cullen Rauls (4)
Blocks: Devon Richardson (4)


Next action for the Spartan men's basketball team comes on Thursday, February 26, 2026 when they travel to No. 2 St. Norbert College. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. in De Pere, Wisconsin.