AU Clinches NCAA Basketball Berth

AURORA, Ill. February 26, 2005 - The Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference will be represented by the Spartans of Aurora University, the No. 21 ranked team in the latest D3hoops.com Top 25 poll, following their 69-66 conference tournament championship game victory over Benedictine University at Aurora's Thornton Gymnasium.

Aurora extended their home win streak to 13 games with an outstanding performance from senior guard Adam McCoy. He led all scorers, seven in double figures, with 28 points on 9 of 20 shooting from the field (5 of 11 from three-point range). Aurora is now 54-4 at home in Thornton Gymnasium since the 2000-2001 season.

Aurora took a 39-25 lead to halftime behind 47 percent shooting from the field. The Spartans held Benedictine to 32 percent shooting from the field for the half and 35 percent for the game.

Joining McCoy in the winning effort for AU, was freshman forward Larry Welton with 12 points and nine boards, junior guard Courtney Carson had 10 points on five of eight shooting from the field. Sophomore guard Aaron Burden chipped in eight points off the bench, while senior forward Drew Gronau grabbed 11 rebounds and had three steals.

Benedictine was led by senior center Brice Amelianoich’s double double of 16 points and 11 rebounds, senior guard Zach Ramey had 12 points and six assists, while junior guard Matt Harrison and senior forward Marcus Jackson each added 10 points and six rebounds.

#21 Aurora improves its record to 23-4 and 11-1 in the NIIC, while Benedictine falls to 21-7 and 9-3 in the NIIC. Aurora captured both the NIIC regular season and tournament championships, the first time the NIIC men’s division has had such an occurrence.

Aurora awaits word in tomorrow night's NCAA Division III National Tournament selection show for its opponent in the tournament and Benedictine hopes of a second consecutive tournament appearance hinge on a Pool C bid. Aurora will be making their third NCAA Division III Championships appearance in five seasons.