Spartan Men Don’t Disappoint in Home Opener

AURORA, Ill. December 6, 2006 - The Aurora University men’s basketball team gave the home crowd something to cheer about on Wednesday night as they defeated Northern Athletics Conference opponent Wisconsin Lutheran College 100-91.

Aurora had the hot hand all night as they shot 11-25 (44.0%) from beyond the arc and 35-68 (51.5%) from the field for the game. The three point shooting was not the only thing they had going as the Spartans played a fast paced game which was able to net some transition points as well.

Aurora led by as many as 14 in the first half but could not maintain the margin, as Wisconsin Lutheran cut the deficit to one at the half (40-39). The Warriors finished the half on a 13-0 run over the last six minutes.

The beginning of the second half saw much of the same, as Lutheran aided by a 12 to 4 run, took a 51-44 lead before the Spartans stormed back. Aurora went on a 16 to 2 run their selves and establishing a seven point lead, a lead they would never relinquish.

Aurora would expand the second half lead to as many as 13 with 5:40 left to play but a scrappy Warrior team never let the home crowd get comfortable, getting with in four with 2:30 remaining on the clock.

Aurora was paced by junior Larry Welton, who had 29 points to go along with his eight rebounds and four assists. Welton was 9-15 (60.0%) from the field which was highlighted by his 3-6 (50.0%) performance from beyond the three point line and a spectacular dunk over three Warrior defenders.

Senior Darrick Leonard came off the AU bench to add 22 points on 7-11 shooting from the field. The point guard also helped out distributing the ball with his team leading seven assists and grabbed eight rebounds.

Wisconsin Lutheran was led by Marcus Zondags' double double of 25 points and 14 rebounds, he was 11 of 22 from the field and added four assists and four steals. Micah Biesterfeld chipped in 17 points before fouling out of the ball game.

Aurora improves to 5-0 on the season, 2-0 in NAC play, while Wisconsin Lutheran drops to 3-4 overall and 2-1 in the NAC.