Spartans Appear in D3hoops Rankings

AURORA, Ill. February 15, 2005 - Aurora University men’s basketball is 19-4 overall, and, with that stellar mark, comes recognition from D3hoops.com. For the first time in school history, AU appeared in the latest D3hoops.com Top 25. Currently ranked #24, the Spartans have made the polls others receiving votes section numerous times.

Spartan Head Coach James Lancaster was elated with news of the first appearance in the D3hoops Top 25. “It is nice to see our program get some national attention. It is important for our players to understand that it is recognition of their past work, but in the end they will be judged on the games yet to be played," Lancaster stated.

Several players who are averaging double figures in scoring on the season lead AU. Freshman forward Larry Welton (Chicago, Ill./Thornwood HS) leads the Spartan offense in scoring with 20.5 per game and is averaging 7.7 rebounds a game. Welton has been named Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference Player of the Week three times this season. Senior guard Adam McCoy (Decatur, Ill./St. Teresa HS) is averaging 16.7 points per game and is shooting 40.8 percent (82-201) from three-point range. McCoy entered the 1,000 point club and also is the AU career record holder in three-point field goals made and attempted. Senior forward Drew Gronau (Streamwood, Ill./Streamwood HS) also entered the AU 1,000 point club this season. Gronau is averaging 12.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game for the Spartans.

The next action for the Spartan men’s basketball team comes on Wednesday, February 16, 2005, when they host the Red Devils of Eureka College on Senior Night. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.

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